Physiotherapy Department - Victoria Hospital

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession concerned with human function and movement and maximising potential. All of the physiotherapists are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and adhere to National Standards and the guidlines set out by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

The core skills used by physiotherapists at Wimborne are:

• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercise
• Electrotherapy
• Locomotion/gait analysis.

Fundamental to a physiotherapist’s approach is the appreciation of the psychological, cultural and social factors that influence their patients and the patient’s own active role in helping themselves.

Musculoskeletal Outpatients

The outpatient Physiotherapy team assess, diagnose and treat the 200 or more patients referred each month to the physiotherapy department with musculo-skeletal problems.

Patients are seen on an individual basis, the initial appointment taking up to 45 minutes and any necessary subsequent appointments up to 30 minutes. Please bring a list of medication and wear appropriate clothing to expose any areas requiring assessment or treatment. Patients may be required to undress to their underwear for spinal assessments. All treatment methods are discussed with the patient and patient consent is sought before treatment. Treatment methods include hands on manual therapy (such as mobilisation or manipulation) to increase joint movement and lengthen soft tissue; exercise regimes to strengthen muscle groups and improve mobility; acupuncture and electrotherapy methods to help reduce and control pain.  Emphasis is placed on advising patients how to help themselves.

Referrals are accepted from consultants, GPs, Minor Injury Unit staff and other health professionals.

Patients referred on an urgent basis (such as after a fracture) are contacted by phone and seen within five working days of referral.  The department may contact patients via the telephone or mail so it is important that patients update their details regularly. All patients will receive a letter from the department letting them know we have received a referral and to inform them of the current waiting times. Patients are then written to again when appointments become available asking them to contact the department to make an appointment.  Patients are requested to give at least 24 hours notice to change appointment times to reduce the amount of clinic time wasted. The team work hard to ensure no patient is kept waiting for more than the national targets.

The team currently are unable to see patients on a private basis outside the NHS working hours, although this service may be available in the future. The team is supported by a team of administrators/receptionists

Community Physiotherapy - Integrated Community Rehabilitation Team (ICRT)

Patients who are unable to attend the department and are suitable for home treatment are referred to the community physiotherapy team based atWimborne and St Leonard’s Hospital.

Neurological & Rehabilitative Physiotherapy

The Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist and her team provide the
physiotherapy input that patients with neurological or orthopaedic problems
may require as part of their assessment, treatment and ongoing
multidisciplinary management.

Gynaecology/Urotherapy Physiotherapy

Senior Physiotherapists provide a comprehensive urotherapy service for
patients experiencing symptoms of urine leakage, incontinence, urgency or
frequency.

NHS referrals are accepted from consultants, GPs and other health professionals throughout the region.

During the first visit the therapist works with the patient to establish clearly the problems that the bladder and/or bowels is giving and the effects of this on lifestyle. A vaginal examination allows the state of the pelvic floor and vaginal tissues to be assessed and a computerised assessment system may be used to produce a readout of muscle strength.

Treatments include advice, strengthening exercise programmes, vaginal cones, electrical stimulation and bladder training.  

Physiotherapy Reception Opening Hours

Monday 0800 - 1700 hrs
Tuesday 0800 - 1700 hrs
Wednesday 0800 - 1800 hrs
Thursday 0800 - 1700 hrs
Friday 0800 - 1700 hrs

Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays.

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason, please contact the department on (01202) 856449 as soon as possible to allow the appointment to be offered to another patient.

Please note, if you fail to attend or cancel an appointment and do not contact the department within one week your treatment may be discontinued and you could be discharged. If further treatment is required you will need to return to your GP to obtain another referral.

At Certain times of the year we have Physiotherapy students, who are supervised by a senior Physiotherapist. If you have any queries, please speak to a staff member.