Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a Health Care Profession which uses physical approaches to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent injury and disease taking into account variations in an individual's needs. Physiotherapy helps to maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well being and is an essential part of the recovery process following injury, illness and surgery. 

Physiotherapy is science based and committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins its practice. Physiotherapists at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have a strong commitment to patient focused care.

"Physiotherapy helps to maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well being and is an essential part of the recovery process following injury, illness and surgery."

Physiotherapists are found throughout all areas of the Trust, they work closely with other health care professionals and are dedicated to providing an excellent service to their patients. Physiotherapists work with patients on all wards, ITU, and HDU and see outpatients in the physiotherapy department and in specialist clinics - for example orthopaedics, plastic surgery, A and E, pain and gynaecological clinics.

In addition to seeing patients on site we also see children in their own homes and schools and adults in GP surgeries and local fitness centres.

Staffing

All Physiotherapists at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are Chartered and are bound by strict Codes of Professional Conduct and are registered with the Health Professions Council.

The physiotherapy department at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has 52 qualified staff of all grades with clinical specialists, senior and junior physiotherapists, and 16 assistant and administrative staff.

"All Physiotherapists are chartered and bound by strict Codes of Professional Conduct and are registered with the Health Professions Council."

Every month we carry out 2,000 outpatient treatments and 3,500 inpatient treatments. GPs or Consultants can refer for Physiotherapy.

All patients are seen on the wards within 24 hours of referral. Outpatients are seen within two weeks if the problem is urgent or within 12 weeks if the condition doesn't require more immediate attention.

Skills

Physiotherapists work with all age ranges and with their detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology can offer comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of a wide range of conditions and ensure safe and effective treatments.

Physiotherapy can restore range of movements of joints, strengthen muscles, reduce pain and swelling, improve flexibility and endurance and improve respiratory function. Physiotherapy can also correct, and re-educate gait, co-ordination, balance and posture. Physiotherapists educate people in injury and disease prevention; they are experts in fitness training and ergonomics.