Home Page

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function to as near normal as possible when someone is affected by injury, illness or by developmental or other disability.

 

And as a healthcare profession, physiotherapy's science foundation covers a broad and varied range of work which involves working with people to promote their own health and well being. (CSP website 2011).

The title Physiotherapist can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and whose details are on the HPC website.

Main site:

Derriford Hospital
Physiotherapy Department
Zone E, Level 7
Derriford Road
Crownhill 
Plymouth
PL6 8DH

Physiotherapy Reception: Tel: 01752 432233

Where do Physiotherapists work?

Physiotherapists work on a variety of wards and outpatient settings within the hospital.  The wards that our Physiotherapists work on include; Respiratory, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Elderly Care, Paediatrics, Women’s Health and Rheumatology. Our Physiotherapists also work within Musculoskeletal Outpatients, Fracture Clinic, Accident and Emergency, Hydrotherapy and within the Community.

Musculoskeletal Outpatients

The musculoskeletal Outpatient team treat a variety of patients referred from primary and secondary care. Patients seen within this department include those with spinal and/or peripheral joint pathology. A full and comprehensive assessment of each patient will be undertaken and a treatment plan will be devised accordingly.  Depending upon the problem identified treatment interventions may include home exercises, advice, electrotherapy, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture or class work. We have a well equipped gym on site which holds several different weekly classes. There are several Outpatient clinics within the Plymouth area which include Plymstock, Plympton, Ivybridge and The Cumberland Centre. There are also sites within the wider community based at Kingsbridge (South Hams Hospital ) and at Tavistock Hospital.

Contact: the Physiotherapy reception.

Orthopaedics

The Orthopaedic Team provides rehabilitation for patients who have had joint or bone surgery. The team covers the Elective, Trauma, and Fractured Neck of Femur wards as well as some day case surgeries.

Patients who have undergone an Elective Joint Replacement are involved in an Enhanced Recovery Programme. This programme encourages patients to become active participants in their own recovery process and provides improved patient outcomes. Together with pre-operative Nurses and Occupational Therapists; the Physiotherapists provide a service named ‘Joint School’. This provides patients who are undergoing Elective Joint Replacements with essential information prior to their surgery.

On the Trauma and Fractured Neck of Femur wards the Physiotherapists work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to improve mobility, strength and aim to get patients safely home following their surgery.

Contact: Daniel Kyamulesire, via the physiotherapy department

Woman’s Health Team

This dynamic team assesses and treats a wide range of Obstetric and Gynaecological conditions across both Inpatient and Outpatient settings. In combination with the Outpatient department, the team also provides a telephone triage service for pregnant ladies with musculoskeletal issues, and helps to determine the best course of treatment. The team work closely with the wider multi-disciplinary team, such as continence advisors, GPs, Midwives and Consultants.

Contact: Vicky Woodbridge-Harris, via the physiotherapy department.

Medical Respiratory Team

 A service is provided by the Medical Respiratory Team to patients with acute and chronic respiratory problems and those affected by cancer. The team is formed of four physiotherapists and two assistants and this forms part of the multidisciplinary team involved in providing care and discharge planning for our patients. Physiotherapists use chest Physiotherapy techniques to help clear secretions and wean patients off oxygen and provide mobility assessments for ongoing rehabilitation.

Contact: Jenny Watson, via the physiotherapy department.

Respiratory: Information for patients and healthcare professionals
http://www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk/information-for-patients/medicines-and-treatments/respiratory-information-for-patients-and-healthcare-professionals/101890

Medical Rehabilitation Team

We are a large dynamic team responsible for providing a seven day service across Emergency care (ED, CDU, MAU, Short stay ward) and a six day service to the Health Care of the Elderly wards. Our physiotherapists assess and treat complex patients with a variety of age-related neurological, respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions. The team work as part of the multidisciplinary team to provide holistic care and enable appropriate discharge planning.

Contact: Mahender Yennaram, via the Physiotherapy department.

Surgical Team

 The team is made up of eight staff including a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist. The team offer a service to those recovering from abdominal and vascular surgeries to promote rapid regaining of pre-admission mobility and the appropriate management of respiratory problems. The Physiotherapy team are responsible for several wards and the busy Intensive Care Unit assessing patients for mobility and treating them with chest Physiotherapy.
The Physiotherapy team also provides specialist rehabilitation for patients following amputation. Close links with colleagues at Disablement Services and Mount Gould Hospital enable our patients to adapt to the changes in their ability and ensure smooth discharge planning.

Contact: Jess Taylor, via the Physiotherapy department.

Cardiothoracic Team

The Cardiothoracic team provide support for patients undergoing Cardiac, Thoracic and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) - Oesophagectomy, Gastrectomy surgery, enabling them to regain and often improve their pre-operative exercise levels. Major Cardiac, Thoracic and Upper GI patients are provided with appropriate pre-operative advice and information.  The Thoracic and Upper GI Physiotherapists work alongside the specialist cancer nurse and palliative care teams where necessary. For both Cardiac, Thoracic and Upper GI patients a number of educational advice booklets are provided either pre or post operatively.
The main areas of Physiotherapy involvement are chest care, mobility and returning home/fitness. Physiotherapy is a vital component of recovery post surgery as early mobilisation has been shown to help prevent chest infections, circulatory problems like DVT and promote independence.

Download an advice leaflet here:
Pre-op Physiotherapy Cardiac Surgery
Pre-op Physiotherapy Gastro-Oesophagectomy Surgery
Pre-op Physiotherapy Thoracic Surgery
Pre-op Physiotherapy VATS

Contact: Achin Sobti via the Physiotherapy department.

Paediatric Team

The paediatric physiotherapy team consist of four physiotherapists and a paediatric orthopaedic extended scope practitioner. The team cover inpatient and outpatient case loads. Our inpatient service works with children admitted to the acute paediatric wards and paediatric HDU with a variety of respiratory, orthopaedic, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. We also see babies on the maternity wards and neonatal intensive care unit. Our outpatient service covers general outpatients (respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological) and paediatric hydrotherapy as well as talipes clinic, hip clinic and CF clinic. The paediatric orthopaedic ESP takes the lead in the talipes clinic as well as working alongside consultant colleagues in hip clinic and paediatric orthopaedic clinics.

Contact: Faye Nightingale via the Physiotherapy department.

Neurosciences

 Staff members covering Neuroscience are split into two teams; Neurosurgery and Neurology. They provide acute for patients who have sustained a head injury, spinal injury, Stroke and patients with a variety of neurological conditions. Treatment interventions include intensive care chest management, tonal management, exercise therapy, early mobilisation, respiratory therapy, collar care and splinting. The Physiotherapists work closely with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best possible care is delivered to all patients. Both teams commence the rehabilitation process as early as possible and where required refer onto other rehabilitation units to continue the process and work towards discharge plans. The teams are supported by a consultant therapist - Jude Fewings, who assists clinically and is involved in the strategic development of the unit.

Contact: Zoe Sibbick (Neurosurgery) or Craig Tucker (Neuromedical) via the Physiotherapy Department.