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Coronavirus update:

 

PHYSIO-LIFE IS NOW OPEN FOR URGENT FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATIONS ONLY & CONTINUES TO OFFER VIRTUAL/VIDEO CONSULTATIONS

 

If you are unsure what is deemed an URGENT consultation please don't hesitate to give us a call on 01462 757050 to discuss.

 

Following the government recently easing lock down measures and following guidance in line with Public Health England, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (our professional body) and Physio-First (a formal association offering support to private Physiotherapists) we are now able to offer limited face to face appointments.

 

Physio-Life has been offering virtual appointments during lockdown and these have proved to be very effective in supporting our patients. We continue to offer these virtual appointments where face to face treatment is deemed an unnecessary risk or patients prefer not to come in to the clinic.

 

PLEASE NOTE HYDROTHERAPY IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE AND WE ARE NOT OFFERING HYDROTHERAPY ASSESSMENTS UNTIL WE HAVE FURTHER GUIDANCE.

 

Our guidelines state that all patients are seen with a 'virtual first approach' which means all patients must be initially assessed virtually. This can be via telephone or video. This enables us to (a) assess whether there is a clinical need for face to face treatment (b) enable us to carry out a risk assessment for the patient (c) ensure the patient is consenting to treatment with the full information available to them.

 

Any patient coming in to the clinic will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to their appointment.

 

To reassure you, here are some the measures that we have in place to ensure we practice as safely as possible and to reduce risk as best we can:

 

In clinic:

  1. The clinic environment has been risk assessed and measures have been put in place to minimise risk
  2. The clinic has an updated cleaning policy to ensure thorough cleaning of all surfaces, door handles and equipment
  3. Only one Physiotherapist will be in the clinic reception area at a time, with patient appointments spaced out to enable thorough cleaning in between patients and to ensure patients don’t come in to contact with anyone else in the clinic
  4. We have taken guidance from Public Health England on the correct level of PPE required. Staff will wear a disposable apron, gloves and a Type 2R surgical facemask. Visors or goggles will be worn if deemed necessary, e.g. if provoking aerosol generating procedures (AGP’s) (cough)
  5. Please try to attend the appointment alone. Anyone accompanying you will also need to maintain a 2 metre social distance at all times
  6. Patient’s will be asked to arrive for their appointment no earlier than 5 minutes before your appointment time
  7. Patient’s will be expected to wear a face covering and use hand sanitiser on their hands on entering the clinic
  8. Patient’s will need to have their temperature recorded on arrival at the clinic (anyone with a temperature of 37.8 or above will not be able to be seen)
  9. 2 metre social distances will be observed at all times other than when hands on treatment is required (see above guidance)
  10. A record of all patients who have attended Physio-Life will be kept to comply with the new Test and Trace system
  11. The clinic room will be ventilated with an open window when possible
  12. Contactless payment should be used where possible, preferably using bank card or online bank transfers. If not, a cheque is preferable to cash

 

For home visits:

  1. We have taken guidance from Public Health England on the correct level of PPE required. Staff will wear a disposable apron, gloves and a 2R level face mask. Visors or goggles will be worn if deemed necessary, e.g. if provoking aerosol generating procedures (AGP’s) (cough)
  2. Shoes will be left at the door to prevent transmission into the property
  3. PPE equipment will be removed and taken away by staff to dispose of appropriately unless a clinical waste disposable bag is available
  4. Staff will request to wash hands on entering and leaving the home. We will supply our own towel/paper towels
  5. It is advisable that the patient wears a face covering or mask during the session
  6. 2 metre social distances will be observed at all times other that when hands on treatment is required (see above guidance)
  7. A record of all patients seen by Physio-Life will be kept to comply with the new Test and Trace system

 

If you have any queries or concerns please contact Rachel on 01462 757050 or 07540 770 601

 

 

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Our Hydro patient Kelvin loves to live life to the full - so much so we'd like to share with you his inspirational story. After spending 2 months in hospital after an intracerebral haemorrhage  Kelvin was left with a weak left arm and left leg. He is now back flying - yes flying!  

 

This is my forth flight and this time I flew the whole flight.  On the previous flights the affected left arm needed to be placed on the airbrake with the good hand and I could not release the tow rope without the instructors help. The affected arm once gripping the airbrake is strong enough to crack it open and finely control the rate of desent with no problems. The Gym work has paid off I can push 25kgs and pull 30kgs. But I still cannot open the fingers enough and stretch the arm out unless supported (work in progress) to grab the tow release toggle.

  

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We are delighted to announce that Wendy Fannon has passed her ATACP Foundation Accreditation. Well done Wendy all your hard work has paid off smile.

 

 

 

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This is a question we are frequently asked in our specialist ‘Dizziness and Balance Clinic’ at Physio-Life, and the answer is - ‘there could be several reasons’! 

Some of the most common symptoms presented are balance issues; motion sensitivity; the floor moving around; foggy head; headaches and nausea. 

 

Some of the most common conditions we come across are Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV); Labyrinthitis; Vestibular Neuritis; Meniere’s Disease; Vestibular Migraine; Vestibular Hypofunction and Mal de Debarquement Syndrome.  However, this list is not exhaustive. Sometimes, it may simply be that a cough or cold that has left a patient with residual dizziness.  Whatever the cause, there is treatment and diagnosis available.

How can we help? 

  

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Stroke Rehabilitation – David’s Story...

 

 

Background

 

On Friday 27th June 2014, I suffered a Stroke. It was completely out of the blue, at the time I was out working. Hazel, my wife, took me to the Lister & I was admitted straight away. As the stroke progressed I lost the use of the left hand side of my body. I spent 12 days in the Lister on the HASU Ward before I was moved to The Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Old Welwyn before being allowed home on 23rd July. In that time I had to learn to walk again, adjust to having no movement in my left arm, concentrate on my speech & learn to swallow.