What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is the prevention, treatment and management of disease and disability using physical approaches, thereby promoting health and well-being for all.
What is the role of physiotherapy in East Lothian?
The role is to:
- Provide skilled, accessible and equitable musculoskeletal and rehabilitation services for the population in a variety of out-patient, domiciliary and hospital settings
- Provide users with timely, individualised and clinically effective care, including preventative care, screening, assessment, treatment and advice to alleviate pain, maximise function and promote self-management
What kind of problems can physiotherapy help with?
A variety of conditions are treated including orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, neurological, continence, general mobility, pain, problems of ageing etc. Staff are multi-skilled with extensive experience and expertise in all common areas of clinical physiotherapy management and continuing professional development is considered a vital part of their practice.
In Mental Health, the purpose of physiotherapy is to rehabilitate patients referred via the Mental Health Services and support them towards recovery via a comprehensive intervention programme that addresses their recognised needs. Interventions can range from all forms of exercise or active bodywork and relaxation to passive treatments with the focus being on self-management and ‘self-knowledge’, in a social context.
Physiotherapists in Learning Disability are experts in the assessment, analysis of movement and function, and they can use a whole range of skills, techniques and concepts. In this specialist role, the Physiotherapist offer advice, help and training on any physical problems, including positioning, gait analysis, wheelchair-use, specialist seating and orthotics (specialist shoes/foot aids) to clients and carers, individually and/or in groups.
Who can access physiotherapy?
All age groups and all clinical conditions are eligible for access to our services. Each case will be assessed in the first instance prior to the development of care plans and ongoing physiotherapy treatment if required.
How can I get physiotherapy?
Do You Need Physiotherapy? (PDF Leaflet)
There is a referral management system in place for out-patient and domiciliary services.
Adults with musculoskeletal health issues can self refer themselves for physiotherapy using the above form which can be downloaded from the NHS Lothian website.
Alternatively, access is also available via a direct referral from a GP, Consultant, or other qualified NHS or Social Work healthcare professional.
Separate referral systems are in place for Mental Health and Learning Disability services.
Where can I get physiotherapy?
Clinical physiotherapy services are delivered across East Lothian in the following sites:
Out-Patients
RoodlandsHospital
Edenhall Hospital
Dunbar Medical Centre
North Berwick Health Centre
Prestonpans Health Centre
Domiciliary
The Domiciliary Physiotherapy Team is based in Roodlands Hospital and provides a home visiting service for the whole of East Lothian
Mental Health
Physiotherapy is one of the professions in the multi-disciplinary Community Mental Health Team based in Herdmanflat Hospital. Services are provided on a number of sites in East Lothian.
Learning Disability
Physiotherapy is one of the professions in the multi-disciplinary Community Adult Learning Disability Team, based in Herdmanflat Hospital. Services are provided on a number of sites in East Lothian.
Who can I contact to find out more?
Brian Brockie
Physiotherapy Manager
Attic Offices
Roodlands Hospital
5 Hospital Road
Haddington
EH41 3PF
Tel: 0131 536 8430
e-mail Brian.Brockie@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk