Working together in Physiotherapy at NRH
During your rehabilitation you will:
- Participate in treatment activities and education sessions.
- Develop your rehabilitation goals with the team.
Your Team may include the following people
Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine
- The Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine is responsible for the overall treatment and coordination of your medical care while you are at the NRH
- Medical Registrars support the Medical Rehabilitation Consultants and with Senior House Doctors will provide your day to day medical care during your stay.
- Your Consultant may refer you to other Specialist Consultants, for example: Orthopaedics, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, or Psychiatry.
- Your medical team will liaise with your GP and referring Consultant regarding your care
Liaison Service
- The Liaison coordinators provide a link between the hospital, home, and your health care professionals.
- They act as your advocate and liaise with hospitals to assess and evaluate your readiness and suitability for admission to a Rehabilitation Programme at NRH and continue to link with you post discharge from NRH.
Rehabilitation Nurse
- Nursing staff provide care, support and encouragement throughout your stay and provide an important communication link with other members of the team
- Helps you practice what you are learning in therapies and teach you and your family how to handle your personal care
- Clinical Nurse Specialist in Sexuality is available to provide counselling to you and relevant others on the impact of your injury on sexuality.
Health Care Assistant
- The Health Care Assistant helps provide care and general assistance to you during your stay
- Assists you in doing certain daily tasks as you progress through your rehabilitation such as dressing, toileting, showering and feeding
Medical Social Worker
- Gives emotional support to you and your family
- Gives you and your family information you may need in the future about community agencies
- Helps you solve personal problems that may come up and assists you with discharge planning
Physiotherapist
Therapy services are scheduled weekly for each patient
- Helps you strengthen your muscles and use them to do daily activities
- Helps you learn breathing exercises that help you build your stamina and strength
- Sports and fitness, gym, and hydrotherapy programmes are provided by the physiotherapy department
Respiratory Physiotherapist
- Monitors the health of your lungs
- Gives you treatments to keep your lungs clear
- Assesses need for respiratory equipment
Prosthetist & Orthotist
- The Prosthetist/Orthotist produces and fits all artificial limbs, plastic cosmetic appliances and other prosthetic devices.
- Helps you learn to wear and use your prosthesis/orthosis correctly
- Provides follow-up care post discharge in the NRH clinics or regional clinics around the country
Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Helps you to regain skills used in daily living activities such as: dressing, eating, planning and writing.
- Helps you order equipment you will need such as bathing equipment, mobility aids or wheelchair
- Assesses your home, work, and/or school setting, and then suggests modifications that will make it easier for you to carry out normal daily activities
Speech and Language Therapist
- Assesses and treats all aspects of communication impairment
- Assesses and treats swallowing difficulties
- Helps with difficulties in remembering, talking, reading, writing, listening, and thinking
Psychologist
- Assists you and your family to come to terms with the effects of the difficulties you may experience as a result of your injury/illness
- Helps you identify your own resources and coping mechanisms for dealing with the effects of injury/illness
- Provides specialist neuropsychological assessment if you have sustained a brain injury
Dietitian
- Helps you manage your dietary needs
- Promotes healthy eating habits and provides education on how to stay healthy.
Pastoral Care
- Provides support and counselling on request
- Addresses your spiritual needs