Rehabilitation
Acute ward team
The acute ward team provides rehabilitation services to patients
admitted to the medical, surgical and elderly wards at our
hospital. These include the oncology, ENT and critical care wards.
Rehabilitation services are also provided on the day assessment
unit and in the accident and emergency department. The team also
provides outpatient services in the form of cardiac and pulmonary
rehabilitation classes, respiratory outpatient clinics and an
amputee service.
Respiratory services
Specialist physiotherapy is provided for patients on the
critical care ward following surgery, to reduce the risk of
development of respiratory complications and ensure good functional
outcomes following critical illness. The team also works with
patients admitted with respiratory failure as a result of acute or
chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, Cystic Fibrosis and
pneumonia, to optimise chest clearance and advice on breathlessness
management. Overnight on-call and weekend service is also provided
to ensure a high standard of respiratory care is continued over a
seven-day period.
Oncology & palliative care
This specialist team provides rehabilitation and discharge
planning for patients on the oncology ward, and outlying areas
within the hospital. In addition, a multidisciplinary
breathlessness clinic is run as an outpatient service to provide
non-pharmacological management (therapy that does not involve
drugs) of breathlessness for patients with advanced Lung
Cancer, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
Occupational therapy
The service focuses on assessment and interventions, in
combination with other members of the multidisciplinary team
working with patients to maximise their independence and enabling
safe and timely discharge from hospital. Involvement may
include:
- Assessment and practice of daily living activities such as
personal care
- Home assessment visits
- Cognitive assessment
- Provision of assistive equipment to promote safe manual
handling and functional independence
- Referral to further rehabilitation and social care
services
Acute ward team occupational therapists are also involved
within:
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Day assessment unit
- Amputee walking school
- Breathlessness clinic
Amputee rehabilitation service
Having an amputation is both physically and emotionally
challenging for the person involved. There are significant life
changes which occur following this operation. Our amputee
rehabilitation service is run by a multidisciplinary team and
comprises both inpatient and outpatient services. The team is
involved from the time of the amputation and stays involved until
the person reaches their maximum level of independence. This may be
with or without an artificial limb. The aim of the service is to
assist the person as far as possible to return to their normal
lifestyle.
Collaborative care team
The Essex Collaborative Care team is a specialist team working
in the community to provide the local population with a domiciliary
rehabilitation service. Our aim is to provide short-term
support and practical help in a way that is person-centred and
holistic. In order to achieve this, we endeavour to be approachable
at all times, with openness and honesty as an integral part of any
communication.
We are responsible for nursing needs, physical and cognitive
assessments, providing treatments, prescribing rehab programmes and
providing or recommending necessary equipment in order to meet
desired goals and facilitate safe and functional independence in
daily routines. We improve motivation levels by engaging in
meaningful activities such as meal preparation, personal care,
mobility and re-integration into social activities. As a priority,
we encourage all members of the family to participate in the
planning and implementation of rehabilitation as much as
possible.
Our occupational therapists and physiotherapists also provide
assessment and treatment to six patients in rehabilitation focused
beds in the Parklands Care Centre, usually following discharge from
hospital. The patients have to meet the same admission criteria as
those used for the Essex Collaborative care team and must have
clear identified goals on admission. This includes patients who
cannot be cared for in their home environment by a maximum care
package.
Community rehabilitation team
Our community physiotherapy team provides a service to help
individuals over 16 years of age reach their optimum level of
independence in their home and local community. The service is
available to the local adult population of approx 360,000 and
includes:
- an assessment of the patient's condition and its impact on
everyday activities within the home and local community
- assessment, treatment and ongoing management of specific
musculo-skeletal (muscle and bone), respiratory (breathing) and
neurological (brain and nerve) conditions
- recommendation and, wherever possible, provision of appropriate
orthotics (surgical appliances - devices used to treat or support
different parts of the body e.g. collars, leg braces, shoe
insoles), walking aids and minor equipment
- provision of individualised exercise programmes which patients
can follow to improve their mobility, agility and strength in order
to maintain independent living
- physiotherapy support for patients with long term and
progressive conditions.
- referral to other agencies
By seeing patients at home we are able to help them live
independently and manage their condition more easily in their own
environment. For example, someone who has had a stroke may
need specific treatment for their condition but also advice,
education, equipment and / or training to get around their home and
in and out of their own car. Where appropriate the community
physiotherapy team will see patients in:
- their own homes
- residential and nursing homes
- Day centres
- Hospices
Orthopaedic rehabilitation team
The orthopaedic rehabilitation team is a young dynamic and
developing team consisting of physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, activities of daily living advisors and rehabilitation
assistants. We provide a seven day service to trauma and elective
orthopaedic admissions to the three orthopaedic wards and the day
surgery unit. In addition, we provide a central focus for advice
and information regarding the management of orthopaedic admissions
throughout the hospital.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and
education aimed at people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD). Each group consists of approximately 25 people. The
course is seven weeks long and comprises of two sessions
weekly that are two hours in length. During this time, an
individual exercise programme is performed, followed by a series of
education sessions aimed at improving knowledge and promoting
self-management.
Education sessions includes:
- breathlessness management and relaxation
- chest clearance advice
- medication and inhaler use
- nutritional advice and stress management
Neurology rehabilitation
Our neurology rehabilitation team is based at the hospital and
covers both inpatient and outpatient services. Specialised
physiotherapists and occupational therapists trained in
neurological rehabilitation, provide assessment and treatment to
patients with neurological conditions helping to maximise function
and independence as well as manage their condition. Close links
between the inpatient and outpatient services, together with the
community therapy teams, ensures continuity of patient care and
treatment in an environment that adapts to the patients ever
changing needs.
Contact us
General enquiries: 01702 385246
Appointments line: 01702 385244