In-Patient Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy (GP information)

Introduction

Occupational Therapists (OT) and Physiotherapists enable individuals that have limitations due to trauma, illness or disability to achieve as much independence as possible in their activities of daily living.

An Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist will consider the individual’s physical, cognitive, personal, social, cultural, vocational and environmental needs and formulate a treatment plan accordingly. The treatment plan will ultimately aim to facilitate a patient’s discharge from hospital back to their own home, or if this is not possible to an alternative safe dwelling place.

As part of the therapy service, patients entering A&E or EAU are able to receive an assessment by a Specialist Therapist. This service aims to discharge patients from the Emergency settings, in order to avoid, where appropriate, a hospital admission.

The therapy team now operate a seven day service on orthopaedics, Stroke ward, A&E, EAU and the medical wards.

Each team is led by Specialist Therapist and they cover most ward areas within the Hospital and some community settings. The therapy team works closely with the ward MDT to ensure thorough discharge planning.

The service is mainly based at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital but some outpatient activities take place in special schools, main stream schools, community centres and domiciliary settings.

Some teams run specialist outpatient clinics and accept referral from GP’s, Specialist nurses and Consultants by letter.

Referral Process

Letter for all services.
Therapies Hub (opposite ward 5)
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Lewsey Road,
Luton,
LU4 0DZ
Phone 01582 497350

For paediatrics and NICU
ICE referrals for GP and internal consultants
Physiotherapists
Letter referral for other professionals- health visitors, School nurses, external consultants, Occupational therapists

Procedures Provided

  • Outpatient services are offered in Neurology, Respiratory, Acute Paediatrics, Community Paediatrics, Multiple Sclerosis, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Hospital at Home and The Regional Limb fitting Centre.
  • Assessment and Treatment input is dependent on individual presentation.
  • Some treatments may take place in group settings e.g. Cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation.

Clinics

All Clinics Run in The Therapies Hub- Opposite ward 5 or the Therapies Gym

Respiratory outpatient physiotherapy
For the management of chest clearance and breathlessness management.
Assesses and treats patients with conditions such as Bronchiectasis, COPD, ILD and chronic hyperventilation syndrome.
Tuesday Afternoon and Friday Morning

Neurology Outpatients
Patients who require specialist neurological interventions, can travel to outpatient facilities and transfer with the assistance of one person.
The service offers individual and group based appointments to help promote physical independence by enhancing function and encouraging individuals to assume responsibility for their health and well-being. There are also clinic slots available for the management of specific impairments such as vestibular rehabilitation and spasticity management
Monday 09.00 – 12.00 (balance group)
Monday 13.30 – 16.00
Thursday 09.00 – 16.00

Cardiac Rehabilitation
Offers exercise groups, education and anxiety management

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Offers exercise groups, education and anxiety management

Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Service
Outpatient Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy service for adults with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or a closely related condition: for people who are willing and able to actively participate in a programme of treatment.
Occupational Therapy Fridays
Physiotherapy Tuesday and Friday

These Clinics run in Therapies Hub (opposite ward 5) or the paediatric Gym

Paediatric MSK Physiotherapy
Outpatients paediatric MSK physiotherapy for 0-16 year olds for conditions including hypermobility, JIA, Joint pain, gait abnormalities, fractures, soft tissue injury, back pain, post-operative care etc.
Post op clinic Friday 09.00 – 13.00
Gym Blocks Monday 09.00 – 12.00
MSK Clinics Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 09.00 – 16.30 plus one Saturday a month
Plus Monday to Friday 12.30 – 16.15

Paediatric Neonatal Physiotherapy
Outpatient physiotherapy for babies who are at high risk of long term developmental problems.
Tuesday 09.00 – 14.30
Thursday 13.00 – 17.00

Community Paediatric Physiotherapy
Cover special schools, main stream schools and outpatients within Redgrave Gardens.

Patient Information Leaflets

Clinicians - Consultants/Specialist Nurses

Luton & Dunstable University Hospital

In-Patient Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

BeverleySteere In-Patient Specialist Physiotherapist
RachelStamp NICU Community Peadiatric Specialist
RachelMcCann Specialist Physiotherapist in Amputee Rehabilitation
RachelHiggins
PollyFryer-Saxby
PennyJones Community Paediatric Team Leader
NicolaShaw Inpatient Specialist Physiotherapist
KatrinaFisher
JackieShaw
Helen Owen
MrDavidAllen Lead Respiratory Practitioner

Useful Contacts

Bedford Hospital
PALS (for patient specific enquiries) 01234 795814
pals@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Head of Therapies Rick Watson
Rick.Watson@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Luton & Dunstable University Hospital
Clinic Reception number: 01582 497124
Urgent issue contact number: 01582 497350
Outpatients booking department: 01582 561385
PALS (for patient specific enquiries) 01582 491 166
PALS@ldh.nhs.uk
Head of Therapies Rick Watson
Rick.Watson@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Clinical Director: Dr Simon Allen
Simon.Allen@ldh.nhs.uk
Switchboard 01582 491166
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