Therapy Services

Therapy Services covers Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Orthotics. Therapy Services are on the Lower Ground Floor of the hospital and can be accessed by Entrance 8.

Physiotherapy

Opening times: Monday to Friday 8.10am to 4.30pm
Telephone: 01202 442121

If you have an injury or a joint or muscular problem, you may be referred for physiotherapy at Poole. The physiotherapist will see you in a treatment room or in the gym.

Physiotherapy also helps people who have conditions such as:

Ankylosing Spondylitis (assessment and education and an out of hours exercise class);
Chronic back treatment group incorporating education and exercise programmes;
Acute Back rehabilitation Programme;
Pain Clinic for an expert second opinion;
Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Group;
In-Patients and Specialist Out-Patients;
Rehabilitation in Hospital.

There are two rehabilitation rooms, one is in the Therapy Services department and the other is on Lulworth Ward. Each has specialist equipment for walking and standing to help early recovery.

Elderly and Stroke Rehabilitation

The team is based on Lulworth Ward. The rehabilitation team specialises in looking after patients needing further rehabilitation to maximise independence.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation provides a service for both in-patients and out-patients.

For inpatients, an assessment and rehabilitation service is based on the acute medical wards including the acute stroke unit;
For outpatients, an ongoing rehabilitation service it offered to patients within the Poole area who have physiotherapy needs.

Hand Therapy Services

Telephone: 01202 442121

Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists work together to help those with a wide variety of acute, post surgical and other hand condition. The aim of the service is to help the patient to maximise their hand functions.

The following services are offered in Hand Therapy

Assessment of the patient’s hand, which may be carried out before any surgery;
Treatment of hand swelling;
Splints and help with problem hand scars.

Orthotics

Telephone: 01202 442298

Orthotics supplies made to measure and items from stock that help reduce pain and improve function. These might be anything from neck collars to wigs or footwear and insoles.

The orthotist will assess the problem area and carry out a physical examination. The patient may have a relative or friend to accompany them if they wish. The orthosis required may be available from stock, but if not, it will be ordered and made.

This process will take between 2 to 4 weeks after which the patient will be given an appointment for the fitting of the orthosis.

Hydrotherapy

Telephone: 01202 442121 (Physiotherapy main reception)

Poole Hospital’s hydrotherapy pool was refurbished in 2007 following a successful fundraising campaign. The small pool is located within the Therapy Services department, and has a stretcher lift and changing facilities to accommodate patients with most physical disabilities.

Hydrotherapy is best suited to those conditions that affect movement where the buoyant environment can reduce loading and stress. The majority of people using the pool have orthopaedic or rheumatological complaints, but neurological conditions may also benefit. Referral is currently by secondary referral – from a consultant specialist or via physiotherapy.

Our general ambition is to teach people exercises in water and allow them to practice these under supervision. Acute conditions may well respond rapidly, but for longer-term complaints, we hope that wherever possible patients will continue to exercise independently in local pools.

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

Thursday evenings

The pool is used throughout the week for individual appointments, and there are dedicated sessions for children and Ankylosing Spondylitis groups.