Physiotherapy for long-term neurology conditions

What are long-term neurology conditions?

Neurology includes all the conditions affecting the brain and the nervous system. Examples of these are multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophies, Huntington’s and Motor Neurone Disease.

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function to as near normal as possible when someone is affected by their disability.

How can physiotherapy help me?

Your physiotherapist (a healthcare professional who specialises in the movement of the body) will discuss your individual rehabilitation goals with you. To help achieve your goals you will need to actively take part in a relevant home exercise programme.

REMEMBER you will gain better results if you do your exercises provided by your therapist on a regular basis.

Your physiotherapist will advise you on how best to manage your condition.

You will be given exercises to:

• Work on your balance.
• Strengthen the muscles.
• Strengthen your core muscles.
• Maintain your muscle length, for example, stretches.
• Work on gait re-education, for example, walking or transfer practice.

What will happen once I have been referred?

Your referral will be placed on a waiting list. Do not be concerned if you do not hear anything immediately. You will be sent an appointment or contacted by telephone to agree a date and time for your assessment.

What will happen during my first appointment?

Your appointment time will be 45 minutes. We will take a record of the medication you are taking, so can you please bring a list of your medications with you.

You should wear something comfortable so you are ale to move freely and we can look at the movement in your arms and legs more easily.

A treatment plan will then be discussed and agreed with you, this can include:

• Advice.
• Home exercise programme.
• A block of 6 exercise sessions, these will be carried out by a physiotherapist or a specialised therapy assistant.
• Onward referrals, for example, to an exercise class in the community.

Can I be seen at home for my physiotherapy?

A one-off visit to your home can be carried out but ongoing therapy cannot be provided at home.

Physiotherapy will mainly be carried out in Billingham Health Centre or the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Where you are treated will depend on where you live and what type of treatment you are having.

What if I need help to get to my appointment because of my health?

If, because of your medical condition or mobility problems, you need transport to get to your appointment and you are registered with a:

• GP surgery within the Tees area, you will need to contact:

Patient Transport Information Services

Telephone: 01642 263 122/0191 264 8870

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

• GP surgery within the East Durham area, you will need to contact the:

Travel Response Centre

Telephone: 03000 629 999

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

You will be asked a number of questions to see if you are eligible to have transport provided for you. You will need to apply at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.

What happens if I cannot attend the appointment?

Please tell us as soon as possible if you are unable to or do not wish to keep your appointment by contacting the Central Booking Office (see contact numbers).

Due to demand on the service, if you do not attend without letting us know we will consider discharging you.

You need to be available to attend a block of therapy in order for the treatment to be beneficial.

What will happen after my treatment?

After your course of treatment a discharge letter will be sent to the healthcare professional who referred you. It will include details about your therapy and the outcomes of the treatment.

It is important that you continue with the exercises your therapist has given you as part of your everyday routine to manage your condition.

There are various schemes in the area where you can continue to exercise which your therapist can refer you on to. This can be discussed with your therapist upon discharge.

Examples of these schemes are:

• Billingham Forum Motiv8 exercise class for people with long-term neurological problems.
• Active Health Schemes.
• Exercise for Life.
• Mill House, Hartlepool exercise class for long-term neurological problems.
• Chair-Based exercises.
• Hydrotherapy at High Tunstall and Hartfields.
• The Healthworks in Easington.

Contact numbers

If you need a social worker or occupational therapist you can contact the following:

• First Contact Stockton: 01642 527 764/528 735
• First Contact Hartlepool: 01429 523 390
• First Contact Durham and Easington: 03000 267 979

If you need a specialist nurse you can contact the following:

• Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse at James Cook University Hospital. Telephone: 01642 854 426
• Parkinson’s Disease Specialist Nurse at University Hospital of North Tees. Telephone: 01429 522 483
• Parkinson’s Disease Specialist Nurse at James Cook University Hospital. Telephone: 01642 854 319

Please note the above are advice lines and not an emergency service. If you require urgent medical advice please contact your GP.

If you have any problems with your wheelchair and need a re-assessment you can contact the Wheelchair Service eon the following number: 01429 522 471

For repairs to your wheelchair contact: 0191 415 5151

If you have any problems with your splint (hand or foot) and need a replacement you can contact the Orthotic Department on the following number: 01429 522 471

• To change or cancel you appointment please contact:

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Services Admin Hub

Telephone: 01429 522 471

Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

• If you have any worries or concerns your therapist will be happy to try and answer your questions:

Billingham Health Centre, Queensway, Billingham TS23 2LA

Telephone: 01642 624 654

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Hartlepool Neuro Physiotherapy Department, University Hospital of Hartlepool, Holdforth Road, TS24 9AH

Telephone: 01642 624 654

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Specialist Services Admin Hub

Telephone: 01429 522 471

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Messages can be forwarded to the Long-Term Neurophysiotherapy Team

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]