CHANGES to the island’s physiotherapy service should reduce waiting times and make the service more efficient, according to health department staff.
Health Minister David Anderson said the new system of self-referral, which means patients who think they need to see a physiotherapist can book treatment directly without going via their doctor, would make much more efficient use of health service resources.
He said a major benefit was that patients would be seen within two or three days, which would avoid appointments being booked far in the future, which patients tended to forget about and failed to attend.
As a result, the hospital expects its current 11 per cent non-attendance rate to fall to about 2 per cent.
‘So we’re simply putting this wasted capacity to use, by looking at our systems and processes; in effect, doing more with what we already have, and increasing patient satisfaction in the process,’ he explained.
‘By “nipping things in the bud”, we prevent conditions from becoming chronic which could, for example, result in someone with a bad back requiring surgical treatment. So the impact of this change isn’t just on physiotherapy or GPs, but will ripple across the entire healthcare system,’ he added.
Director of nursing Bev Critchlow said: ‘If you are opting into a service, evidence shows people respond better to treatment and they need fewer treatments.’
Patients will be able to choose to be treated in Douglas, Port Erin or Ramsey and, where possible, will always see the same physiotherapist.
The scheme starts today for patients aged 16 and over with muscle, joint, tendon, ligament or nerve problems which have developed in the past eight weeks. The scheme will extend to those with longer-term conditions in July and will be reviewed at the end of three months.
More information can be found in the leaflet available from GP surgeries, Noble’s Hospital and the three Physiotherapy Centres – the Community Health Centre on Westmoreland Road, Thie Rosien in Port Erin, and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital. Or go online at {http://www.gov.im/health/physiotherapy|www.gov.im/health/physiotherapy}, or telephone 642158.
