Therapy Services (Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy)
Therapy Services (Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy)
Therapy services are provided at both Royal Preston and Chorley District Hospitals. All our qualified therapists are registered with the Health Professions Council, ensuring a consistent professional standard of treatment.
Therapists are involved in all multi-disciplinary teams throughout the Trust, contributing to Patient treatment plans, facilitating progress throughout their stay, and ensuring adequate follow-up where needed following discharge.
They also provide some treatments on an out-patient basis, where follow-up treatment may be required after discharge, or for certain musculo-skeletal problems.
Summaries of the different specialities within therapy services may be accessed via the menu on the left, along with specific contact numbers for some specialist departments.
If you wish to contact a therapist, and do not know which team to contact, please ring one of the central department numbers listed below:
Contact number for main department reception: Preston 01772 522876
Contact number for main department reception: Chorley 01257 245757
24 Hours in Core Therapies
Meet the people behind the care and get a glimpse into the world of our Core Therapies team.
Watch the full series featuring Jen, Lee, Rhian and Leanne.
24 hours is filmed in-house by our Organisational Development team and Blended Learning Team and aims to showcase the incredible work of our Core Therapies team and celebrate the people behind the outstanding care provided.
- Watch the series here
Episode 1 – Building Rapport
Episode 2 - Team Spirit
Episode 3 - The Role of Physiotherapy
Episode 4 - Lee, Therapy Assistant
Episode 5 - Jen, Rotational Physiotherapist
Trauma Exercises
- Ankle
Ankle circles
Ankle pumps
Ankle tilts
Single leg stand
- Elbow
Bend and straighten
Forearm Rotations
Hand slides
- Fingers
Bends
Fist
Thumb to fingers
- Hip
Backwards leg lift
Clam exercise
Heel slides
Marching on the spot
Sideways leg lift
- Knee
Knee straight leg raise
Knee straightening
Knee seated heel slides
- Lower back
Knee to chest
Knee rolls in lying
Pelvic tilts
- Neck
Chin tuck
Rotations
Side bends
- Shoulder
Forwards cradle
Hand slides
Pendular swings
Sideways cradle
- Thumb
Bends
Circles
Side slides
- Trunk
Arch to flat back
Rotations
Side bends
Slump sitting to upright posture
- Wrist
Bend and straighten
Forearm rotations
Hand waves
Therapy In-Patients (In Hospital)
Our team provides an integrated therapy service for patients staying in hospital.
- Acute medicine
The acute medical therapy team is made up of of occupational therapists (OT),physiotherapists, and integrated therapy assistants.Our team provides an integrated therapy service to all the acute medical wards, inclusive of cardiology, care of the elderly, respiratory, gastroenterology, and the regional renal unit. All patients deemed appropriate by the multidisciplinary team (MDT), are referred for the appropriate specialist therapy assessment. Patients may be seen jointly by an OT and physiotherapist or by just one discipline, depending on their needs.
The types of specialist assessments that we cover include
- Functional mobility and transfers
- Activities of daily living (ADL)
- Cognition (eg attention, memory and concentration)
- Mood (anxiety and low mood)
- Chest / breathing problems
- Continence
- Feeding & nutrition
- Seating, posture and pressure care needs
- Wheelchairs
Our interventions may include
- Education and advice for acute and long term condition and symptom management
- Brief interventions
- Issuing of equipment for home to improve independence and safety
- Onward referrals for relevant specialist intervention
- Referrals for specialist rehabilitation
- Signposting for community services
- Carer support
Our philosophy is holistic, client centred care. We work with our patients to help them achieve the maximum level of independence possible, and realise a timely and safe discharge from hospital.
- Burns and plastics
Within our Burns and Plastic Surgery department we have specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists who work alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team to provide a high standard of care.
Our roles include:
- Mobility assessments and provision of walking aids.
- Provision of exercises to maintain/improve range of movement and muscle strength.
- Breathing exercises following surgery.
- Splinting for complex hand injuries/ for the prevention of burn contractures
- Specialist Scar Management service
- Provision of pressure garments following surgery.
- Activities of daily living assessment to facilitate safe and timely ward discharge
- Referral to appropriate outpatient services as required on discharge.
- Critical Care
- Elective orthopaedics
We undertake inpatient physiotherapy assessment and treatment for elective orthopaedic patients.
Our Team
The team consists of senior and junior physiotherapists and therapy assistants. Treatment will be designed to encourage patients to achieve their rehabilitation potential and promote independence. We are based on the Leyland and Rawcliffe wards at Chorley District Hospital.
Elective procedures at Chorley District Hospital
•Total Hip Replacement
•Total Knee Replacement
•Hip/Knee/Ankle Arthroscopies
•Spinal Decompressions / Discectomy
•Foot Surgery
•Shoulder Surgery
We are part of the larger multidisciplinary orthopaedic team consisting of orthopaedic consultants and their medical team, nurses and occupational therapists. The orthopaedic physiotherapy team will liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team, and are integral in helping to coordinate safe and effective discharge packages. This can also include liaison with the community physiotherapy team to ensure continuity of care for the patient.
Outpatient Services
We also run an orthopaedic outpatient service to facilitate continued rehabilitation on discharge from hospital. This may include 1:1 physiotherapy clinic, Total Knee Replacement rehab class, hydrotherapy and hip advice clinic.
Service Improvement
As a team we are constantly auditing our service to enable improvement. As such, the orthopaedic physiotherapy team now run a seven day service so that elective inpatients can access physiotherapy every day.
- General and Vascular Surgery
The Surgical Integrated Therapy team based at the Royal Preston Hospital site provides therapy services to the surgical assessment unit (SAU) and to the general surgery, vascular and urology wards – in excess of 74 inpatient beds. The team, comprising of Physiotherapists and occupational therpaists, provides assessment and treatment to patients undergoing both emergency and elective surgery, and those with vascular conditions.
We focus on:
- assisting the recovering patient to regain function in daily activities.
- improving mobility to pre-operative levels where feasible.
- preventing breathing problems and optimizing respiratory function.
- educating patients about their condition and its best long term management.
- assisting in safe discharge from hospital through assessment and provision of aids and equipment
- Head and Neck
Within our head and neck service we have specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists who work alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team to provide a high standard of care.
Our roles include:
- Pre-operative assessment – including advice and education in preparation for surgery.
- Breathing exercises and chest clearance techniques following surgery.
- Early mobility assessments and provision of walking aids.
- Provision of shoulder and neck exercises to maintain/improve range of movement and muscle strength.
- Exercise promotion following surgery.
- Splinting for protection.
- Activities of daily living assessment to facilitate a safe and timely discharge.
- Referral to appropriate outpatient services as required on discharge.
You may find the websites below helpful and informative;
- Neurosciences
Neurosciences ( including Neurology and Neurosurgery)
The Neurosciences Integrated Therapy Team (Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy) is based at Royal Preston Hospital, which is a Regional Neurosciences and Major Trauma Centre for Lancashire and South Cumbria. The Neurosciences team work on both neurosurgical and neurology wards.
The neurosurgery wards care for patients admitted via emergency pathways with head and spinal trauma or electively with a variety of head or spinal conditions which require surgery. The neurology ward cares for those admitted due to an acute deterioration of their neurological condition or those requiring diagnosis.
The aim of the therapy team is to provide specialist physical and cognitive assessment to provide treatment to achieve best functional outcomes. We progress rehabilitation, support longer term management of conditions and contribute to discharge planning working with other health and social care professionals. We endeavour to provide a quality service based on individuals’ needs and have a positive impact on patient care and experience.
Our therapy team is on the ward 8.30 - 4.30, Monday to Friday.
Contact Details
Royal Preston Hospital - 01772 716565
Physiotherapy - Bleep 2801
Occupational therapy - Bleep 3553
- Integrated Therapy Oncology and Palliative Care Team
The Integrated Therapy Team is based at the Royal Preston Hospital Site working with adult in patients with a cancer diagnosis. We work with people who have experienced a change in their abilities due to their illness and/or treatments and aim to enable them to achieve as much as they can for themselves, in order to get the most out of life.
The team consists physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff who will support your hospital stay and assist in planning for discharge.
Occupational therapists can help with various problems you might experience, including:
- difficulties in coping with everyday activities
- shortness of breath, extreme tiredness (fatigue) and anxiety
The occupational therapists may show you different techniques or equipment to help you manage. They may also order specific equipment for you for home or advise on where you can hire or buy it depending on your situation.
Physiotherapists focus on
- maintaining or improving mobility
- stair assessments
- breathing techniques
- exercise advice
How can I see a physiotherapist or occupational therapist
The service is available Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Patients can be referred to the Integrated Therapy Team by any healthcare professional. For more information please contact 01772 522495
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
The Paediatric Therapy Team is based within the Integrated Therapy Team at Royal Preston Hospital.
The service provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy to children across all age ranges, from pre-term babies on the neo-natal unit, through to adolescents on the children’s ward.
The team covers a whole range of specialties including neurology, plastic surgery, neo-natal services, medicine and surgery, trauma and orthopaedics, cystic fibrosis and specialist talipes care.
We aim to provide a high quality, accessible therapy service to all out patients and their families.
The paediatric therapy team can be contacted on 01772 716565
- Surgical
The Surgical Integrated Therapy team based at the Royal Preston Hospital site provides therapy services to the surgical assessment unit (SAU) and to the general surgery, vascular and urology wards – in excess of 74 inpatient beds. The team, comprising of Physiotherapists and occupational therapists, provides assessment and treatment to patients undergoing both emergency and elective surgery, and those with vascular conditions.
We focus on:
- assisting the recovering patient to regain function in daily activities.
- improving mobility to pre-operative levels where feasible.
- preventing breathing problems and optimizing respiratory function.
- educating patients about their condition and its best long term management.
- assisting in safe discharge from hospital through assessment and provision of aids and equipment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
Stroke Rehabilitation Therapy Team
This is an integrated therapy team consisting of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and therapy assistants. The team is based on the 24 bedded Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, Rookwood B at Chorley Hospital and forms part of the Trust Stroke Pathway.
The stroke pathway indicates that on admission to the Trust with a stroke the patient will be taken to the acute stroke ward, ward 21 at Royal Preston Hospital. From there the patient will either be discharged or transferred to the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, Rookwood B for further rehabilitation
On arrival to the stroke rehabilitation unit, the stroke therapy team will introduce themselves, complete an initial review/assessment and get to know the patient’s needs and goals (this may take several assessments). Rehabilitation will be designed based on the patient’s needs and initial assessments and the team will work with the patient and their families to set specific rehabilitation goals. Treatment and goals are continually reviewed to match patient needs as they change.
The team use evidence based rehabilitation techniques and strategies to promote recovery. Treatment will take place in different forms. This may include:
- Group Therapy Sessions
- Individual Sessions
- Education Sessions
- Discharge planning meetings.
- Personalised therapy programmes to complete on an individual basis between therapy sessions.
Treatment may involve:
- Hands on therapy intervention applying Bobath Principles
- FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation- an approach where electrodes are applied to the muscle to send low level electrical impulses to the nerves to activate muscles and encourage functional movement)
- Cognitive therapy intervention looking at memory, attention and executive skills
- Relaxation methods
- GRASP exercises (Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Programme)
- Sensory stimulation
- Personal Care practice e.g. washing and dressing
- Kitchen practice e.g. preparing hot drink and snack
Stroke Rehab Therapist roles
Occupational Therapist:
Their role is to support the patient to become as independent as possible in activities of daily living. They will help provide practical solutions to overcome some of the problems caused by stroke. They may look at appropriate seating, mental processing such as memory and concentration, vision, physical abilities and mood. This will often be completed via tasks such as feeding, washing, dressing and kitchen tasks and may involve learning new ways of doing and practicing everyday tasks. They may support your discharge planning and may arrange to visit the patient’s home if required to identify equipment or support needs for discharge.
Physiotherapist:
The physiotherapists will assess in detail how the stroke has affected the ability to move. They will work with each patient to try and improve posture, balance, limb weakness and how they move. They will work through exercises with the patient within their current level of ability to mobilise muscles and joints, and practice movements and postures. Working closely with the OT’s, treatments will aim to improve independence and make movements easier such as sitting upright, reaching, standing and stepping etc.
Speech and Language Therapist:
They provide assessment, diagnosis and management of people with voice, communication and swallowing problems following stroke. They will assess the patient’s ability to communicate and help them recover or adapt. Speech therapists may be able to provide exercises and therapy for patients who have facial weakness following stroke to help regain strength and improve speech. They will also a patient’s swallow function and advise on the correct texture of food and drink. This may involve working with different consistencies such as puree diet and thickened fluids alongside therapy to aim for recovery of swallow.
Therapy Assistants:
Work alongside the occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. They carry out tasks and practice exercises which have been set by the therapists.
Student Therapists:
As a teaching hospital, the stroke rehabilitation team welcomes Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist students on work placement. Students will work closely with the qualified therapists to provide high quality rehabilitation whilst working to complete their relevant degrees.
Which therapists will work with the patient will be determined by the patient’s needs. The therapy team will aim to have regularly contact with each stroke patient during therapy working hours of 8.30am-4.30pm whilst their progress continues and they are able to tolerate treatment.
Contact Details:
Stroke rehabilitation Team: 01257 245118
Our therapy team is on the ward 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday
Find out more on Stroke and the stroke pathway at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust here.
- Trauma Orthopaedics
The Royal Preston Hospital is a Major Trauma Centre offering specialist services to patients across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Most major trauma patients are treated and discharged from the hospital following traumatic fractures, soft tissue injuries or wounds, but some may be transferred to their local hospital once stabilised.
The Therapy Service
The Trauma Orthopaedic therapy service, offers both occupational and physiotherapy to patients following a traumatic injuries, surgery and elective spinal surgery. Patients are provided with acute physiotherapy post-operatively or once appropriate post-injury in the ward environment on Ward 14 and 16. Occupational therapists offer functional equipment, wheelchairs and functional advice where appropriate. Both therapy services work together within a multi-disciplinary team to provide the most effective patient care and safe discharges.
On discharge patients are offered follow-up rehabilitation from their local provider if required, or some patients may require further input in the community before returning home.
- Women’s Health Physiotherapy Team
Who we are
The Women’s Health Physiotherapy Team is based at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley District and General Hospital. The team is made up of Specialist female physiotherapists and therapy assistants who are all passionate about offering a high quality service to our patients. We ensure that all our patients are treated with dignity and respect and all information is treated in the strictest confidence.The specialist areas of referral to our team are from obstetrics, gynaecology, colorectal and breast surgery.
What we do
Antenatal and Postnatal
We provide pre and postnatal outpatient appointments for women experiencing a range of pregnancy related problems. Women will be taught self-help advice and exercises to help with self-management of these problems. Further treatment options and provision of equipment may be provided depending on individual needs.
We receive referrals from midwives, GPs and obstetricians. We also accept self-referrals from ladies who are pregnant and up to 3 months postnatal via the following email
womenshealth.physio@lthtr.nhs.uk
Conditions treated include:
- Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Pregnancy related back pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Abdominal diastasis
- Bladder problems
- Perineal trauma
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
We also run an aquanatal class once weekly at Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre on a Tuesday at 12noon. Ladies can attend from 16 weeks of pregnancy. If you have any specific medical or pregnancy complications, please ensure you seek confirmation from your obstetric team that you are safe to attend.
Gynaecology
We receive referrals from the GPs and consultants for the following:
- Prolapse
- Urinary incontinence including stress incontinence, urgency and frequency
- Pelvic floor dysfunction including, pain and sexual dysfunction
Colorectal
We receive referrals from the colorectal consultants for the following:
- Constipation
- Obstructive defaecation
- Anal Incontinence
Breast Care
We offer physiotherapy to patients who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. This includes men and women who have undergone:
- Mastectomies
- Lymph node surgeries
- Wide local excision with lymph node surgery
- Breast reconstructive surgeries following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Patients will receive pre-operative advice prior to their surgery and a physiotherapy outpatient appointment following their surgery. As part of this rehabilitation process, we also offer a weekly circuit exercise class to support you in your return to exercise.
If you have had previous breast cancer surgery and feel you have ongoing problems related to this, your breast care nurse or GP can refer you back to physiotherapy.
Therapy Outpatients Services
- Breast care
The Women’s Health physiotherapy team also treat patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. This includes men and women who have undergone mastectomies, lymph node surgeries, wide local excision with lymph node surgery, and breast reconstructive surgeries following a breast cancer diagnosis. We can see patients pre-operatively, on the ward or at out-patient appointments post-operatively. We advise about exercise regimes and arm care to try to prevent problems post-operatively, and can provide treatments for cording, soft tissue and scar restrictions and post-operative shoulder problems.
- Cardiac rehab
- Electrolysis
Integrated Therapy Services at Royal Preston Hospital offer a private Electrolysis service for the removal of excess or unwanted hair growth. Electrolysis is the only method of permanent hair removal.
We also offer Advanced Electrolysis for the treatment of thread veins, spider naevus, Campbell de Morgan spots and Milia. Advanced Cosmetic Procedures (ACP) uses Electrolysis to treat these and many other skin blemishes such as Seborrhoeic Keratosis, Skin Tags, Xanthelasma, Syringoma, Mole Reduction, Liver/Age spots and more.
Electrolysis is a treatment suitable for everyone and will help to achieve smooth, blemish free skin, removing or reducing the appearance of unsightly blemishes or hair growth which may be affecting your confidence and self-esteem.
- Falls
The role of the Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist within the Falls Management and Fracture Prevention Service is to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary assessment and individually tailored treatment programme including:
- Education on falls risk and risk management
- Home Assessment,
- Equipment provision
- Individual exercise prescription focussing on strength and balance work
- Signposting and onward referral to other agencies such as Age UK and community therapy teams.
- Hand therapy
The team
Our hand therapy team includes qualified occupational therapists (OT’s) and physiotherapists (PT’s) who undertake post graduate training in the management of acquired hand conditions and trauma.
Contact Information Hand Therapy Department Royal Preston Hospital
01772 522876
Hand Therapy Department Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
01257 245763
Referrals
We treat inpatients and outpatients within the Preston and South Ribble district and due to the Trusts status as a major trauma centre we are also able to offer a service to patients within the tertiary boundaries of Lancashire and South Cumbria
Referrals are received from six plastic consultants and two orthopaedic hand consultants.
Please be aware that if you fail to attend an appointment you may be discharged from the hand therapy service.
Treatment programmes
Treatment programmes are tailored to individual needs. To achieve the best outcomes it is important that patients are actively involved in their treatment programme and participate in a home exercise programme.
We treat a wide range of hand conditions, including:
- Fractures,
- Joint dislocations,
- Tendon, nerve and soft tissue injuries,
- Burns,
- Arthritis,
- Joint replacements, and
- Elective surgical procedures.
Hand therapy interventions include:
- Manual therapy
- Exercise programmes
- Dynamic and static splinting
- Scar & oedema management
- Pre and post operative assessment/treatment
- Sensory re-education/desensitisation
- Functional assessment/advice re return to work and recreational activity
- Electrotherapy
- Computerised Upper Limb Exerciser
- Acupuncture
- Home Oxygen Service –Assessment and Review Team (HOS-AR)
Home Oxygen is prescribed for those with long term low oxygen levels (chronic hypoxia). The HOS-AR team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is made up of highly skilled Nurses and Physiotherapists, who provide assessments and reviews for those in the Greater Preston, and Chorley and South Ribble area.
The aim of the HOS-AR team is to increase the value of oxygen therapy as a treatment for people who need it in a way that is safe, clinically effective, cost efficient and, above all, patient-centred.
Hence the team works to:
- Optimise benefit from oxygen therapy
- Reduce harm from trips, falls, smoking, fire and oxygen toxicity
- Maximise value from oxygen equipment use
- Improve patient experience of having and using home oxygen.
Patients who are referred for Home Oxygen must have treatment for their underlying health condition optimally managed. Therefore all referrals must come via a Doctor or a Clinical Specialist.
- Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal Outpatients
Who we are
The Musculoskeletal Outpatients Physiotherapy Team is based at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley & South Ribble Hospital. The team is made up of Specialist physiotherapists and therapy assistants who are all passionate about offering a high quality service to our patients.
OUR AIM FOR YOU:
As an MSK Physiotherapist I will see my patients at a convenient time for them, in a safe and welcoming environment. I will be a caring and knowledgeable Physiotherapist. I will listen empathetically to their needs, treat them with dignity and provide high quality, effective treatment and information, to help them achieve their personal goals.
Our area of speciality is in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions (conditions which affect the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments in your body). We receive referrals mainly from our colleagues in orthopaedics, the urgent care and emergency departments, and neurosurgery. We do not accept GP referrals.
What we do
As we are an acute hospital, the majority of our patients are recovering from a traumatic injury or surgery. Our role is to support your recovery, enabling the return of normal movement and function in order that you can return to work and doing the usual activities which you enjoy.
All treatment is individualised to each patient, and so we will work with you from the beginning to establish your realistic goals for treatment.
We encourage patients to take an active role in their own recovery and we will develop a self-management plan for you to incorporate at home. This will usually include some simple exercises to enable you to restore normal movement, strength, balance and function.
We also take a holistic approach to treatment, incorporating the social, cultural and psychological factors which may have an impact on your recovery.
Treatments
Physiotherapists use their expertise, the best available and up to date evidence and clinical experience to inform their decisions regarding individual treatment for each patient. Some of the treatment options which may be offered for your individual needs include:
Exercise therapy: Including individualised home based exercises to improve your muscle strength, increase your joint range of movement, and improve balance and general fitness.
Gym Classes:
We have a large gym space at both sites which allows for group classes. This allows you to use some of the more specialised gym equipment that you may not have at home in order to progress your rehabilitation. This can also be offered on a 1:1 basis if the group class is not suitable.
Click here to see more information about our gym classes.Manual Therapy:
This can include soft tissue and joint mobilisation which may be used in addition to your exercise programme if required.Acupuncture:
Here is our Acupuncture leaflet - Helping patients understand what to expect when having Acupuncture therapy
Electrotherapy
Your Appointments
The majority of our appointments are face to face though we do offer video and telephone consultations to many of our patients if this is your preference.
How it is arranged
Once we have received your referral, a member of the physiotherapy team will decide how soon you need to be seen and by whom. They will then pass this information to the administration team to offer you an appointment. Subsequent appointments will be arranged with you while you are in the clinic. You may receive a text message reminding you of your appointment.
What to do if you cannot make an appointment
If you need to change an appointment, please contact us on the telephone numbers below.
If you cannot make your appointment, please contact us to let us know as soon as possible so that we can rearrange your appointment. Failure to attend your appointment may lead to you being discharged from the service.
How long it will take
Your first appointment is usually between 30 minutes to one hour. Subsequent appointments are usually 20 minutes. As we run a very busy clinic, it is important that you attend your appointment on time. If you are late, you may be asked to rearrange your appointment.
What it will involve
We will use this time to find out a little more about you, ask you some questions about your condition and how it is affecting you, and develop a joint management plan. We may also complete a physical examination. This may include feeling the area affected, and assessing your joint movement, muscle strength, and balance.
What I need to wear
If you are being treated via video clinic or if you are attending the hospital clinic it is important that you wear, or bring with you, appropriate clothing so that we can fully observe the body part being treated if required, for example shorts or loose fitting exercise appropriate clothing/ footwear. If it is your neck, shoulder or back that is affected we may ask you to remove your shirt, this will be done in a private clinic space to protect your dignity.
How often I need to attend
The length and frequency of your treatment will depend on how you are recovering from your injury. For some operations, there are specific guidelines with timeframes and milestones to work towards in order for you to progress with your rehabilitation. We will work closely with you to ensure that you are progressing safely and achieving your goals.
Parking
Please see link below for information about parking on our hospital sites.
Contact us
Phone
Royal Preston Hospital
Lines are open Monday – Friday (8.30-16.00) – 01772 522876
Chorley & South Ribble Hospital
Lines are open Monday – Friday (8.00-16.00) – 01257 245757
Email: Coretherapies@LTHTR.nhs.uk
Text: Please reply to your text message reminder & one of our staff members will contact you to rearrange.
Royal Preston Hospital
You can find Physiotherapy at number 6 on the hospital map here
Chorley Hospital
You can find Physiotherapy at number 18 on the hospital map here
- Occupational Therapy Orthotics
Who are we?
We are a team based at Royal Preston Hospital (RPH) in the outpatient therapy department.
We have a Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist (OT), a number of Specialist OTs, Rotational Post Band 5 OTs and Senior Therapy Assistants, with a large skill mix.
Having such a vast amount of knowledge helps us deliver a client centred service with personalised care.
We are the only hospital in Lancashire who make the custom moulded collars and spinal braces.
Who do we see?
We see a range of patients, both paediatrics and adults, with a large variety of acute and chronic conditions. This includes:
- Preston and Chorley Hospital In-patients
- Patients from other hospitals in the North West
- Clinic patients
- Outpatients
What do we do?
We assess each individual patient holistically, and provide an appropriate splint/brace for their needs.
Within our department we are able to make bespoke braces and splints directly moulded on the patient as well as provide off the shelf orthoses.
We also hand make and provide all the Deprivation of Liberty (DoLs) mitts for the hospital.
What is an orthosis?
“A brace, splint or other artificial external device serving to support the limb or spine to prevent or assist relative movement” (Oxford Dictionary, 2019).
Why Occupational Therapy?
“Occupational therapy provides practical support to empower people to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the activities (or occupations) that matter to them” (RCOT, 2019).
Within this specialist area (Orthotics) the OT team problem solve the patient’s individual issues (fracture/pain etc.) by designing, making and implementing the orthosis to allow the patient to continue to do their Activities Of Daily Living (ADLs) safely.
“An occupational therapist will consider all of the patient’s needs - physical, psychological, social and environmental” (RCOT, 2019).
How to be seen by our service?
This is normally done by a referral sent by your GP or consultant.
Once we receive this we will book an appointment.We see patients during clinics Mon-Fri. If this isn’t possible the next suitable appointment will be made, taking into account clinical urgency.
Examples of Orthoses
Contact details:
Tel: 01772 522380
Email: OTorthotics@LTHTR.nhs.uk
Twitter: @OTorthotics
Address: Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 9HT
Our poster
You can download a copy of our Orthotics Poster here
- Pain team
We treat patients living with chronic/longstanding pain at Royal Preston and Chorley Hospitals referred from the Pain service. Referrals from outside the area are also seen.
Treatment is led by the individual’s goals and values in conjunction with their physiotherapist. Our aim is to facilitate a patient’s understanding of their condition and provide strategies to help with self-management improving their quality of life.
Physiotherapy is part of the multi-disciplinary pain team which consists of Nurses Psychologists and Consultants. We work in collaboration with the team and receive referrals from all members of the team.
Patients requiring physiotherapy will be offered treatments which may include graded exposure to exercise, hydrotherapy, TENS and education.
We run several classes suitable for those who may not have been as active as usual with the aim of restoring their confidence in movement and exercise. Physiotherapy also plays an important part in the pain management programme IMPACT run at Royal Preston.
To access our service you will be referred to the Pain service from your GP or Consultant.
- Respiratory
Lancashire Asthma & Airways Service
The physiotherapists within this service are specialists in managing breathing pattern disorders and are trained in Buteyko and breathing pattern disorder management techniques. Breathing pattern disorders occur when a person’s normal breathing pattern is disrupted either by acute illness, anxiety or long term conditions such as asthma. As a result of this disruption patients can experience significant breathlessness, air hunger or difficulty breathing in, commonly known as air hunger. This breathlessness is normally in excess of what would be expected in the patient’s underlying chest problem. Physiotherapy retrains the breathing pattern to reduce these symptoms. Patients within this service are managed jointly by a team including Doctors, Asthma Nurses, Speech therapists and psychologists. Referrals should be made to the team via the Asthma and Airways team consultants.
Bronchiectasis Service
Bronchiectasis is a respiratory condition leading to increased sputum production and recurrent chest infections if not managed appropriately. Physiotherapy is the main treatment for this condition. This physiotherapy lead service helps patients manage their condition though advice on infection and lifestyle management. Patients are supported to identify an appropriate chest clearance regime which manages their condition, but fits in with their lifestyle. Referrals to this service are via consultant led teams.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure) Clinic
CPAP is recommended as a treatment option for adults with moderate to severe symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Diagnosed both on severity of symptoms (daytime sleepiness) and by sleep study. Patients are set up with a CPAP machine as an outpatient and reviewed regularly to assess their compliance and symptoms. It is consultant lead with a clinical lead physiotherapist and Senior Physiologist undertaking the assessments.
Hyperventilation and Sputum Induction Services
The Hyperventilation service is part of the Airways Service, a team of health professionals whom predominantly treat people with Complex Asthma, Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Chronic Cough and Hyperventilation.
A physiotherapist retrains the patient in being able to breathe more normally and efficiently once the patient has been diagnosed as having a ‘dysfunctional breathing pattern’. This may manifest as a disproportionate or inexplicable level of breathlessness experienced during daily life. A Consultant Respiratory Physician will assess the patient first, before referring to the physiotherapist for treatment.
Sputum Induction forms part of a range of assessment methods which enable the Airways Team to diagnose Asthma as well as plan treatment in confirmed cases of Asthma.
Home Oxygen Service –Assessment and Review Team (HOS-AR)
Home Oxygen is prescribed for those with long term low oxygen levels (chronic hypoxia). The HOS-AR team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is made up of highly skilled Nurses and Physiotherapists, who provide assessments and reviews for those in the Greater Preston, and Chorley and South Ribble area.
The aim of the HOS-AR team is to increase the value of oxygen therapy as a treatment for people who need it in a way that is safe, clinically effective, cost efficient and, above all, patient-centred.
Hence the team works to:
• Optimise benefit from oxygen therapy
• Reduce harm from trips, falls, smoking, fire and oxygen toxicity
• Maximise value from oxygen equipment use
• Improve patient experience of having and using home oxygen.
Patients who are referred for Home Oxygen must have treatment for their underlying health condition optimally managed. Therefore all referrals must come via a Doctor or a Clinical Specialist.
- The Spinal Physiotherapy Service
The spinal physiotherapy service is a specialised service offering assessment, management and treatment of complex spinal conditions at both Royal Preston and Chorley District Hospital. The team comprises of specialist physiotherapists who work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team within the spinal service, which is led by the Spinal Orthopaedic Consultants. The service offers a wide range of treatments including Exercise Rehabilitation both individually and in class form, Manual Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Acupuncture, Tens, Education and Advice. The spinal service also works closely with other specialties such as Pain Management.
Spinal Exercise Videos
Before you begin the exercises, please read the below leaflet:
Engaging Your Core
Engaging Your Core Neuro.mp4 from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals on Vimeo.
Alternate Step Level 1
Alternate Step L1 from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals on Vimeo.
Alternate Step Level 2
Alternate Step L2 from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals on Vimeo.
Getting out of bed
Getting out of bed from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals on Vimeo.
Picking up an object from the floor
Picking up an object from the floor from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals on Vimeo.
Sit to stand
- Women’s Health Physiotherapy Team
Who we are
The Women’s Health Physiotherapy Team is based at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley District and General Hospital. The team is made up of Specialist female physiotherapists and therapy assistants who are all passionate about offering a high quality service to our patients. We ensure that all our patients are treated with dignity and respect and all information is treated in the strictest confidence.
The specialist areas of referral to our team are from obstetrics, gynaecology, colorectal and breast surgery.
What we do
Antenatal and Postnatal
We provide pre and postnatal outpatient appointments for women experiencing a range of pregnancy related problems. Women will be taught self-help advice and exercises to help with self-management of these problems. Further treatment options and provision of equipment may be provided depending on individual needs.
We receive referrals from midwives, GPs and obstetricians. We also accept self-referrals from ladies who are pregnant and up to 3 months postnatal via the following email
womenshealth.physio@lthtr.nhs.uk
Conditions treated include:
- Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Pregnancy related back pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Abdominal diastasis
- Bladder problems
- Perineal trauma
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
We also run an aquanatal class once weekly at Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre on a Tuesday at 12noon. Ladies can attend from 16 weeks of pregnancy. If you have any specific medical or pregnancy complications, please ensure you seek confirmation from your obstetric team that you are safe to attend.
Gynaecology
We receive referrals from the GPs and consultants for the following:
- Prolapse
- Urinary incontinence including stress incontinence, urgency and frequency
- Pelvic floor dysfunction including, pain and sexual dysfunction
Colorectal
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