We are a Therapy Team that cover the community wards based over ELHT sites eg. Burnley General Hospital and Royal Blackburn Hospital.
This is an inpatient service, so all patients deemed suitable come from the acute hospital wards with the exception of Clitheroe Community Hospital where there is a step-up process from the GPs for admissions.
We provide a multi disciplinary team approach to person centered care. These include assessments that cover cognitive and physical assessments to promote and improve activities of daily living. We provide an inpatient rehabilitation program for each patient if this is needed. We aim to improve independence to support safe discharge. We also complete onward referrals onto appropriate services as needed. This could include referral to Home First and Community Therapy.
Each site has a Clinical Team Leader and there is a Clinical Service Lead over all the sites.
The service has a Head of Service and an operational lead and a clinical lead to support the service delivered is safe, effective and personal.
The service consists of the following staff:
Physiotherapists (PT)
Work with you to identify parts of your movement, sensation and balance that has changed following your stroke. They work with you to help you use both sides of your body and regain as much movement and strength as possible. They will help you to move your joints and muscles and will give you exercises and tasks to do yourself.
Occupational Therapists (OT)
Work with you to identify things that make it hard for you to do what you want to do in life. These could include physical difficulties or problems with memory and thinking, vision, or sensation, and problems such as anxiety. They will work with you to practice and develop your skills and confidence.
Assistant Practitioners and Therapy Assistants
Work alongside our Therapy Team to assist in the delvery of services supporting clinicians, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
All referrals need to come through Cerner, an NHS computer system. There is a nurse-to-nurse handover prior to patients transferring over. All patients transferring to community wards need to have clear goals from the referring acute sites which should be set in conjunction with patient/family. Patients' family should be aware of goals and reason for transfer to community wards.
Individual rehabilitation programs and discharge support are provided for patients and goals are set in discussion with the patient. The discharge plan and treatment plan should be initiated from the Acute Team, and family informed. Community wards will continue these plans from transfer and review as required.
Normal service hours for Therapy are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.