Virtual consultations allow patients to continue rehabilitation during lockdown

A physiotherapy team in Cheshire has helped over 3,000 patients to continue with rehabilitation during lockdown.

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapy team at Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP) has been using video calling software, as well as telephone and online courses, to   continue to see and treat individuals.

Combining over 6,000 telephone consultations, more than 500 virtual video consultations and online classes, the team has helped patients with different musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints, such as shoulder or back pain.

The team has used virtual consultations to allow physiotherapists to safely assess, diagnose and treat patients, demonstrate and practice exercises to build a tailored programme, and provide instant advice that will improve a condition. The team has also used the online sessions to show patients or partners self-massage techniques and to run exercises classes such as pilates. 

Alexandra Mayor, Physiotherapy Team Manager for CCICP, said: “During the pandemic, where access to primary health care settings has been limited, virtual consultations have allowed patients to continue to receive care for their musculoskeletal problems.

“The team has put a huge amount of effort into adapting the service,, which has allowed us to continue running and supporting patients even at the most difficult times during lockdown.”

Kieran Gallagher, Winsford Care Community Service Manager, added: “It’s been amazing to see how hard the team has worked in getting virtual consultations off the ground.

“Everyone in the MSK service has adapted to the current situation, and this has ensured our patients needs have been met during these extremely challenging times. Well done and many thanks to them all.”

CCICP’s Clinical Specialist Physiotherapy team covers South Cheshire and Vale Royal and is just one of the partnership’s services that has adapted to continue to support patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP) - Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP) brings together three organisations that aim to transform, develop and deliver community health care services that are focussed on delivering high quality, safe care in the right place at the right time.

CCICP is a unique collaboration between Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT), Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance, which covers 29 local GP practices.

Patients can now self-refer into the service without needing to contact their GP by using this link to the on-line self-referral form.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ay0n7XT-B02VKvOhXtOqQKTx2Hb6g4ZJsR4JoUoRzdBUOFU0V0pONldTUDM4S1NaTE5GSUM3UFJKUiQlQCN0PWcu

Pictured - The MSK team in CCICP have helped over 3,000 patients to continue with their recovery.