During your one-to-one Outpatient assessment, you will assessed by a qualified physiotherapist who will:
- Discuss your problem with you, asking questions about your symptoms and medical history
- Conduct a thorough examination
- Provide you with an explanation of your symptoms
- Agree a plan on how to help you achieve your goals and your best possible outcome.
Treatment options
We have a wide range of treatment options to help you with your condition. These will be discussed with you and agreed collaboratively based on evidence-based research and clinical assessment.
Examples include:
- Advice and education
- Exercise therapy
- Class-based rehabilitation
- Manual therapy
- Aquatic therapy
- Acupuncture
If for any reason you do not reach your expected outcomes, our physiotherapists may contact your GP or Consultant to discuss whether further management is required.
What can you do to help us with your treatment?
During your first appointment, we will find out as much as possible about how your problem started and how it is affecting you.
- We will discuss what your goals and concerns are. To help us properly assess your problem have a think about what you would like to achieve from your treatment
- We will ask for your permission to remove some of your outer clothing so that we can see the affected area and perform movements and tests on you to establish the exact cause of your problem. You may feel more comfortable bringing a vest top and shorts to wear, depending on the location of your problem.
- We aim to see you at the time stated on your appointment letter; however, some appointments do run over time. To help us keep to appointment times, please allow plenty of time to reach the hospital, park and get to the Physiotherapy department for your appointment.
Please check which hospital your appointment is at before you start your journey. If you are unable to make your appointment, please contact us and let us know.
If you miss your appointment and do not let us know in advance that you can’t attend, this may mean that you will be discharged from our service.
Appointment reminders
- Bring a list of your current medication
- If you have been sent a form to complete please remember to have it available
- Have a think about what you would like to achieve from your treatment
- Wear comfortable clothing. You may be asked remove items of clothing covering areas which are being assessed, e.g. please wear/bring shorts for a lower limb referral or vest top for upper limb referrals
- Arrive for your appointment on time
- Contact us if you are unable to attend
- Groups may be with a different physiotherapist than the person who assessed you initially
- Anyone under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult
- A chaperone can be present at your request.
How long will my assessment or treatment session last?
Your initial assessment may last up to 60 minutes and follow up treatment sessions may last up to 30 minutes.
Appointments are available between 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday at Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital, with the option of virtual appointments via eClinic (video consultations) and telephone consultations.