Physiotherapy
Oaks Hospital Physiotherapy Department in Colchester has
both in and outpatient facilities offering a comprehensive range of
treatments.
It aims to provide a complete package of care to patients, which
combines a full assessment with education and self-help programmes
alongside conventional physiotherapeutic treatments.
Oaks Physiotherapy offers patients the highest quality of
professional care in a safe, caring and cost-effective environment,
with the minimum of waiting time.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can play a vital part in pain relief, healing and
rehabilitation for most medical, musculoskeletal and neurological
conditions. Physiotherapists offer a holistic approach to the
assessment and treatment of problems and can offer advice to
prevent problems or the recurrence of problems.
The Department
The Physiotherapy Department is a well equipped modern unit
with 8 private treatment rooms, a wide range of
physiotherapeutic equipment and an air conditioned gym for
rehabilitation. It has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with
changing facilities. It has close professional lines of
communication with on-site Consultants and the X-ray
Department.
- Full 1/2 hour appointments or more when required with 1 hour
for assessments of spines, hips, shoulders and other complex
problems.
- One to one patient care.
- Acute problems can normally be seen within 36 hours of
referral
- Oaks Physiotherapy is recognised by all major insurance
companies.
Referrals
The department accepts referral from both GP's and Consultants.
You may also self-refer for treatment if you are self-paying.
To book an appointment please telephone the Physiotherapy
Department directly on 01206 753 222.
Insured Patients
Oaks Hospital is recognised by all major Insurance Companies. If
you have medical insurance, you must contact your insurer prior to
your visit. Your insurer will advise you whether your policy will
cover the cost of the treatment and the processes necessary for a
claim to be paid.
Provided you have given Oaks Hospital relevant details of your
insurance cover, hospital accounts will go direct to your
insurer.
- BUPA patients: You must have a pre-authorisation number for
physiotherapy, even if you have been receiving physiotherapy as an
inpatient.
- Consumables eg walking aids, theraband, lumbar supports, heel
pads, wrist splints etc. The cost of these is not covered by the
Insurance Company; you will be expected to pay for these on
attendance.
Uninsured/Self-Pay Patients
We are pleased to provide physiotherapy services to patients
paying their own fees. However, we do ask you to pay immediately
after each treatment at the Physiotherapy reception desk before
leaving. This can be settled using a debit or credit card, cheque
or cash.
Please note that patients who receive reimbursement direct to
themselves from their insurance, e.g. Benenden or HSA should also
pay at the time of treatment.
Access to Medical Records
There is a hospital policy for accessing your medical records.
If you require further information please ask your Physiotherapist
about this.
Your First Appointment
The initial assessment will take between 30 - 60 minutes,
depending on the area being assessed. The Physiotherapist will
assess and diagnose the problem and help you understand what
is wrong. Much information is obtained by verbal questioning and
physical examination. The Physiotherapist will work with you to
develop an effective treatment plan that takes into account your
life-style, leisure activities and general health.
What to Wear
During your initial assessment, the Physiotherapist will need to
examine areas of your body adjacent to the problem area to ensure
that nothing is missed that could be important. We ask you to dress
appropriately as you may be required to remove some clothing.
Charges for Treatment
The length of your treatment session will vary, depending on
your clinical needs, from 30 - 60 minutes.
Physiotherapy is charged in units of time:
15 minutes (or part there of) = 1 unit
30 minutes = 2 units
45 minutes = 3 units etc
The charge will include time taken to record your assessment and
treatment details, in accordance with strict professional
guidelines on the standard of documentation.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 7.30am-5pm
There are some evening and Saturday morning clinics.
Communication with Medical Staff
If you have a follow up appointment with your Consultant during
your course of physiotherapy, the Physiotherapist will write
a report of your progress to the Consultant. Please notify your
Physiotherapist of any Consultant appointments.
Once treatment is completed the Physiotherapist will write to
the referring Clinician, e.g. GP or Consultant, to summarise the
treatment and the outcome.
Cancellation or non-attendance of Appointments
Please note that Oaks Hospital requires 24 hours notice of
cancellation of appointments. Failure to do so, or non attendance,
may incur a cancellation fee. Please note that your Insurance
company will not cover the cost of cancellation fees.
Oaks Hospital Physiotherapists