We are listening – Physiotherapy Service

Janie

We know how important it is for people to be able to access the right treatment, at the right time, by the right healthcare staff.

Specialist physiotherapists are providing Botulinum Toxin (Botox) treatment for disabled children in Lanarkshire. We have been providing this treatment since 2010 in collaboration with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. Children were assessed in NHS Lanarkshire but needed to attend Yorkhill and then the Children’s Hospital in Glasgow for treatment.

We have provided this treatment from Ward 19 at Wishaw General Hospital since April 2016.

This change has led to significant improvements for the children receiving treatment and their families:

• Children are treated within four weeks of assessment, this could previously take up to four months
• Parents and children are involved in treatment and arranging review dates. This is important as appointments are often needed with other services such as Occupational Therapy between appointments. This also enables families to plan ahead to minimise disruption to work, school or family events
• Children are treated by the same member of staff on return visits. This enables the physiotherapist to establish a good relationship with the child so that they can provide person-centred care by understanding “what matters” to the child and their family
• Providing the service in Lanarkshire has also benefitted families by reducing travelling time, distance and the associated cost

Susan Horsburgh is one of the specialist physiotherapists providing this treatment and has established a great rapport with her young patients.

“I feel safe because my mum is with me and Susan is here and I trust them”.

Here is some of the feedback we have received from our children and their parents:

The children said:

“I am comfortable with the surroundings. I am familiar with Wishaw General Hospital”

“I was happy because I’d had no drowsy drink and I do not need to stay at hospital for long”

“I feel safe because my mum is with me and Susan is here and I trust them. The nursing staff helped make me feel safe too. Everyone talked through the process”

“I was worried about it (Botox) and the cold spray, but it was cool.”

The parents said:

“He is less drowsy here because he had medication to go to sleep in Glasgow and he did not know what to expect because he was not having the drowsy drug. He will know what to expect next time now he has had the cold spray”

“It feels better coming to Wishaw instead of to Glasgow because it is closer to home”

“All the staff were waiting on Jamie coming in and we were made to feel very welcome by everyone.  We felt completely at ease.  We have been reassured all the time.  We couldn’t fault the whole service we have been given.”

“Having the service so local helped. It reduced the stress by coming only a short journey and it is somewhere that is familiar to the family”

“It is a relaxing ward.  It has been good not needing to be moved from pillar to post.  Everyone has been very nice and we have not felt alienated.”

If you have an experience of the Physiotherapy Service you would like to share, please speak to a member of staff, respond on Patient Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk