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Your feedback is vital to us as we continue to increase the quality of our services.
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Date: 21 December 2024
Time: 19:01
Information for physiotherapy outpatients
- How can I be referred?
- What is the waiting time for an appointment?
- Attendance policy
- What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
- What if I’ve missed my appointment?
- What to expect on your first appointment
- What to bring/wear
- How to find us
- Text messaging/appointment reminders
- Can I get assistance with transport?
- Do you offer an interpreter service?
How can I be referred?
Patients are referred to musculoskeletal outpatients from a variety of sources, including GPs and consultants. We provide access to rapid assessment for musculoskeletal problems through a number of Choose and Book clinics. Alternatively, we accept GP referrals via post. Following referral, we will offer an appointment for an assessment.
What is the waiting time for an appointment?
All patients will be offered an appointment within five weeks from referral. Urgent referrals are seen according to clinical need.
Attendance policy
Please help us to help you.
A large number of outpatient appointments are wasted when patients fail to attend or cancel without enough notice for their appointments to be re-used for others.
As a result waiting lists for our services are longer than we would like.
The local hospitals and clinical commissioning group (CCG) have developed guidelines to help us work together to reduce the number of wasted appointments.
These guidelines include that you will be discharged if:
- you do not attend your appointment
- you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours' notice
- you have previously cancelled appointments on two occasions and you cancel or fail to attend on the third occasion
The therapist can use discretion to offer you a further appointment if there is considered to be an immediate risk to your health – otherwise they will notify your referring consultant and GP as to why your treatment has been stopped.
To help remind you about your appointment you may wish to receive a text message reminder from the hospital. If you would like this service, please give your mobile telephone number to the therapist treating you or to the reception staff.
Reducing the numbers of missed appointments helps us to see you sooner.
Thank you for your cooperation.
What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
Please call the Therapy Services department to cancel or rearrange an appointment, giving us as much notice as possible.
Telephone: 0121 3713466
Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice so we can offer the appointment to somebody else.
What if I’ve missed my appointment?
Please call the Therapy Services department as soon as you are aware that you have missed your appointment. Please see the attendance policy above for details.
What to expect on your first appointment
On arrival at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), you will need to register at Therapy Services, North Suite on level 1. This can be done by using the self check-in machine or at the reception desk. Please bring your appointment letter or appointment card with you.
At your first appointment you will have a specialist appointment with a senior physiotherapist in order to make the best plan for managing your condition.
What to bring/wear
Please wear suitable loose clothing for your appointment. Due to the nature of the assessment process we may ask you to remove some items of clothing. It’s helpful if you bring a list of any current medications you’re taking and copies of results of any other relevant investigations and tests.
If you would prefer to be treated by a male or female member of staff, please let us know when you book your appointment.
How to find us
- Enter QEHB via the main entrance
- Follow the corridor to the right of the information desk, passing Costa on your right and WH Smith on your left
- Walk through one of the sets of double doors at the end of the corridor
- Take the lift or stairs to level 1
- Turn right out of the lift (or stairs) and walk along the corridor
- Therapy Services is on your right
Please see the page on getting to the hospital for maps and directions to the hospital.
Text messaging/appointment reminders
If you would like a text message reminder service to be set up, please tell us on your first visit. We need an up-to-date mobile telephone number for this free service.
Can I get assistance with transport?
Hospital transport is available for patients who meet the transport criteria.
Please see the patient transport page for further information.
Do you offer an interpreter service?
If you require an interpreter, please let us know when you arrange your first appointment.
