Home Page

Booking Your Appointment

On receipt of a referral from your GP or consultant, it will be categorised by a physiotherapist and we will contact you either by telephone or letter. The letter will be inviting you to call us to arrange your appointment at a mutually convenient time. The best times to call us are indicated on the letter. We will explain where to go and what you can expect on your first visit. Once your appointment is booked with us you will receive a confirmation letter (if time allows).  The Physiotherapy Service has outpatient clinics at Derriford Hospital, Ivybridge Health Centre, Plympton Health Centre, Plymstock Clinic, Cumberland Centre, tavistock and Kingsbridge and will try to accommodate you nearest to where you live or work.  However, if your local clinic is fully booked you may be offered another location to have your treatment in a timely manner.

Appointments are available Monday to Friday between the hours of 0840 and 1700.Please make us aware if you have any additional needs at time of booking, for example if you require a translator.

Cancelling or Changing Your Appointment

Please try to attend you prearranged appointment whenever possible to avoid delays in you treatment. If however you need to cancel or change your appointment please give us a minimum of 24 hours notice if possible.  This allows us time to offer your appointment to another patient.  To contact the department use the appropriate telephone number below.

Hydrotherapy Pool Level 3 - Tel: 01752 432208

Kingsbridge OPD MSK appointments -  Tele:  01752 438203, 9am to 1pm

Physiotherapy Reception Level 7 - Tel: 01752 432233, 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.45pm to 4pm

Tavistock OPD MSK appointments -  Tele : 01752 436131, 8am to 4pm

If you cancel or change more than 2 appointments, or if you fail to attend a prearranged appointment without giving us notice and good reason you may be discharged back to your referrer in line with Trust policy.

Before your appointment

Please be aware at which site your outpatient appointment has been booked. We hold outpatient clinics at Derriford Hospital, Ivybridge Health Centre, Plympton Health Centre, Plymstock Clinic, The Cumberland Centre, Kingsbridge and Tavistock.

• Information on Buses/Trains/Taxis/Park & Ride
• Car parking charges/concessions/map
• How to get to Derriford

Please aim to arrive early for your appointment as parking can be difficult. If your appointment is at Derriford you may wish to use the ‘Park and Ride’ facility.

It would be useful to bring a list of any medications that you are currently taking. Please let us know if you have a pace maker prior to your first appointment.

Your Physiotherapist may need to carry out a physical examination, so make sure you are dressed appropriately. For example shorts are useful if we are treating your back or lower limbs.

At your appointment

Please ensure that all children  under the age of 16 years are accompanied to their appointment by a parent / guardian. At your first session your physiotherapist will carry out an initial assessment of your problem. This will involve checking some details with you, asking you several questions and then undertaking a physical examination. Your Physiotherapist will then discuss your condition with you and devise a suitable management plan to meet your individual needs. Your initial appointment may last up to 40 minutes and follow up appointments up to 20 minutes. You may bring a chaperone or family/friend with you if you wish.

As Plymouth Hospitals is a teaching hospital student physiotherapists may be involved in your care. Students are always supervised by qualified staff and this will not affect the quality of your treatment in any way. We will always make you aware if you will be seeing a student and please tell us if you do not want them to be present or involved.

After your appointment

After your appointment a suitable management plan will have been devised and discussed with you. Your Physiotherapist may wish to rebook you for further sessions or may refer you to other services if necessary.