Hundreds attend community appointment day for expert physiotherapy support
People with joint and muscle problems have jumped at the chance to get their aches and pains checked out by a range of experts all in one place.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's (NHFT) Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy team hosted a community appointment day in Northampton for people living in the local area with a routine referral to the service.
Its aim was to support people with advice and guidance to help manage their joint or muscle condition - and the special session at Lings Forum Leisure Centre proved a big success.
Taking over half of the sports hall and several squash courts for the day, 51 NHFT physiotherapy professionals were on hand to guide more than 250 patients through a carefully planned journey.
Each appointment started with a one-to-one conversation to understand each person's situation and needs, followed by a detailed physiotherapy assessment. From there, attendees had the chance to visit the 'Rehabilitation zone' for a personalised plan to support their recovery, including exercises and lifestyle advice.
A wide range of community partners were also available to provide more information and support, including Northamptonshire Sport, Age UK, Arthritis UK, Spring social prescribing, NHS Northamptonshire Talking Therapies, pharmacy teams and services offering 40+ health checks, lifestyle, wellbeing and weight management advice.
Everyone attending received their own 'health passport' as a record of their appointment and next steps, with further help from the Physiotherapy service or other specialists offered to those who needed it in the future.
Sam Nicolle, Service Manager for the NHFT Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy team, said: "The idea of the day was to address as many of our patients' health and lifestyle needs as we can, all in one place and on the same day.
"It was a really busy day, with around 25 patients arriving every half-hour, so it's been all-hands-on-deck from our team and our community partners - but it's been very well received. Patients commented on what a fantastic idea it was and they really appreciated the opportunity to address all their health needs at the same time."
Clementina Oluwole and Julie Fisher were just two of the 250 patients who attended the event on Wednesday 28 January - and both were pleased with the service they received.
Julie, who came to the event to talk about her ongoing pain issues, said: "They have given me exercises to do, advice on how to take things forward and how to follow things up. It's been absolutely brilliant. It's going from step to step and getting seen and feeling like you're heard."
Clementina, who has been living with back pain for the past five years, said: "I spoke with the physiotherapist and they advised that they would do a follow-up, so I've got another appointment, which I think will help."
Following the success of this first community appointment day, the NHFT Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy team are now exploring opportunities for future days across the county.