Physiotherapy In The NHS
In this blog, I will talk to you about physiotherapy in the NHS. And my interest in that type of physiotherapy.
What is the NHS?
The NHS is the National Health Service, the government-funded medical and health care services that UK residents can use without paying the total cost of the service.
The NHS covers many services such as;
- Visiting GP / Doctor
- Receiving treatment at a hospital if unwell or injured
- During pregnancy, women can see a midwife.
- Ambulance and Emergency services are providing you with urgent help if you have severe or life-threatening injuries.
Throughout Great Britain, there are 3 NHS for the public to use: NHS England, NHS Wales, and NHS Scotland. In Northern Ireland, they have a publicly funded healthcare service, but this is known as Health and Social Care Service (HSC) and not the NHS.
Physiotherapy In The NHS
Physiotherapy is a service that helps restore movement and function for someone who has been affected by an injury, illness or disability. Physiotherapy can prevent and reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses in the future.
When Is Physiotherapy Used?
Physiotherapy Services in the NHS can be used and helpful for people of all ages with a range of health conditions and problems affecting;
- Bones, Joints and Soft Tissues
- Brain or Nervous System
- Heart and Circulation
- Lungs and Breathing
Physiotherapist’s Job Role
A physiotherapist is a specially trained and regulated practitioners who work as part of a team in various areas of medicine and settings such as;
- Hospitals
- Health Centres or Clinics
- GP Surgeries
- Sports Teams, Clubs, Charities and Workplaces
- Some physiotherapists can offer home visits.
A physiotherapist who works within the NHS focuses on identifying the injury or illness and maximising movement to improve the patients’ health and well-being.
Physiotherapists work with patients daily, recommend exercise, carry out treatments, and use equipment depending on the patient’s needs.
Once patients have a diagnosis, the physiotherapist creates a treatment plan to help them in their recovery stage. After treatment is booming and the patient is fully recovered, physiotherapists promote good health and advise them on avoiding their injury reoccurring and new injuries.
What Physiotherapist’s Do
A physiotherapist has approaches when it comes to the patients as they look at the body as a whole instead of focusing on the particular injury or illness, these approaches are;
- Education and Advice
- Movement, Tailored Exercise and Physical Activity Advice
- Manual Therapy
- Hydrotherapy or Aquatic Therapy
Training and Career Development In The NHS
After becoming a fully qualified physiotherapist, you will have annual CPD check-ins where you will discuss your career goals and how you will achieve them.
You will be encouraged to join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, where you can continue updating your skills and training.
As a physiotherapist, you can become specialised in a particular area such as sports injuries, critical care, elderly, cancer patients or children.
You can also teach research and management roles that could be some other options for you.
Income and Your Benefits
In the NHS, a physiotherapist standard working week will be 37.5 hours which may include various shifts such as nights, weekends, early starts or evenings.
A physiotherapist will typically start in the pay scheme at band five, between £24,000 – £30,000 and dependent on experience.
Throughout your NHS career, you have a generous pension scheme along with a health services discount, with 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
My Interest In NHS Physiotherapy
I am interested in physiotherapy in the NHS because there will be many different scenarios of clients with different types of injuries, which will be all caused or developed in different ways.
The NHS will provide me with a widened experience and knowledge of physiotherapy, which will help me develop my job skills.
Physiotherapy in the NHS, I would highly recommend that patients are taken through a rehabilitation process and feel more confident after being discharged from the hospital.