Physiotherapy

Who can use the service

We support people with a learning disability to manage their health conditions and physical wellbeing.

We do this when their needs cannot be met by general physiotherapy services, even when reasonable adjustments are made.

Reasonable adjustments could include:

• adapting our communication
• giving information in more easy-to-understand formats
• giving the person more time
• involving family and carers in discussions and care
• making tasks more meaningful
• building a positive rapport

How physiotherapy can help

A physiotherapist will assess your needs. They will create a personalised treatment plan.

The aim of physiotherapy is to give you a better quality of life by:

• increasing your independence
• improving your wellbeing
• improving your physical function

We can help:

• with your posture and positioning
• with your chest health
• improve and maintain your mobility
• to reduce your risk of falls

We also help to prevent conditions that can arise from problems with mobility or posture, such as:

• joint stiffness
• muscle weakness
• pain

We will work with you, your family and/or your carers and other health and social care services.

We encourage you to attend general physiotherapy services. We can also provide support to access these services where necessary.

Posture and positioning

The physiotherapy team will complete an assessment and develop a management programme.

This is to help maintain posture and physical functions over a 24-hour period, while reducing complications such as the tightening of soft tissues, chest infections and pressure sores.

Programmes are tailored specifically for you and might include:

• positioning and postural care, including standing, sitting and lying
• exercise and movement programmes
• support with appointments for other services such as orthotics (devices to support and align the body) and wheelchair services
• advice on medicines, including for pain and muscle issues
• education and training to carers
• an approximate review date

Mobility

We help you improve and maintain your ability by:

• completing a mobility assessment
• developing a home exercise programme
• assessing and providing walking aids
• giving advice to family and carers
• support with appointments for other services such as orthotics, the older person’s assessment unit, mainstream rehabilitation and wheelchair services
• giving advice on medicines for pain relief and osteoporosis (weak bones)
• giving advice on appropriate physical activities in the community

Falls

We aim to reduce your risk of falling and can help with recovery. We’ll support you to use regular falls services. We work very closely with falls services in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

We might:

• complete a falls assessment
• support appointments to falls clinics for medical reviews
• support access to physiotherapy through a falls service
• provide a home exercise programme
• provide training and education to family, carers and those providing support

Coughing and breathing (respiratory management)

We provide community-based respiratory assessment and management of long term conditions. We work closely with the respiratory consultants at the Lane Fox Unit in St Thomas’ Hospital.

We try to reduce chest infections and prevent hospital admissions. We can help:

• improve your cough
• clear your phlegm (the mucus you cough out)
• you to take deep breaths
• improve your fitness

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

We work with speech and language therapists to help find the best position to improve eating and drinking.

Rebound therapy

We may ask you to come to rebound therapy as part of your personalised treatment plan.

If you're coming for a rebound therapy appointment, you will use a trampoline for exercise and therapy. We may use gym balls, hoops and other pieces of equipment while on the trampoline to do:

• stretching
• walking
• bouncing

Your rebound therapy session usually lasts 30 minutes. It can be with 1 or more physiotherapists.

How to get an appointment

To refer to the physiotherapy service for adults with learning disabilities, please see our referrals page.

After the referral has been made, we’ll contact you, your family and/or carers to get more information.

The referral will then be opened or placed on the waiting list on a case-by-case basis, depending on your needs.

We'll contact you, your family and/or carers to make an appointment.

During your appointment

We will contact you, your family and/or carers to arrange the appointment. This will be in a place that suits you best. There may be more than 1 physiotherapist at your appointment. We may ask if a student can take part to support you in your appointment. You do not have to agree to this.

We will ask you or your family and/or carers questions about your health and physical condition.

We will assess or treat you. This will involve you moving around or us helping you to move.

After your appointment

Usually after your appointment we will give you, your family and/or carers a programme to follow.

It is important you follow this programme to help you get better. It is also important your family and/or carers support you to follow the programme.

If you, your family and/or carers have any questions after your appointment, please contact us.

Lewisham team phone: 020 3989 0550

Lambeth and Southwark team phone: 020 3049 7518