Specialist physiotherapists slash waiting times at Royal Alexandra hospital

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Waiting times at the physiotherapy department of the Royal Alexandra hospital have been slashed by ten weeks through the introduction of a number of specialist physiotherapists in the department.

These physiotherapists have undergone specialist training to allow them to carry out a whole range of additional duties including an assessment of the needs of patients referred to the department.

Janice Manson, Head Superintendent Physiotherapist, said, "“The introduction of extended scope practitioners, as these physiotherapists are known, has proved to be a great success with consultants’ waiting times reduced by about ten weeks.

“To carry out this role the specialist physiotherapists have undergone extra training and have become qualified beyond the normal standards. This allows them to carry out a whole range of additional clinical duties that may in the past have fallen to the consultant to carry out.

“The scheme basically operates through the physios sorting out newly referred patients to assess whether they actually need treatment or if they would be more suited to an exercise programme.

“If the patient does require treatment the physio can then determine whether the patient should be seen by the consultant or the specialist physiotherapist.

“The various physio teams from across Argyll & Clyde have also recently held a number of seminars to discuss the success of the scheme in their own areas. And they have also been working closely together to see what can be learned from each other to help benefit our patients even further.”

Press Release: Wednesday 11 January 2006