Referred Employee Handout
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Programme
With the wait for NHS physiotherapy taking many weeks if not months in some areas, musculoskeletal injuries are often not afforded the required ‘Early Intervention’ to deal with them quickly. Leicester City Council provides the ‘Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Programme’ to provide the early treatment their employees deserve.
Once referred you will receive your assessment and treatment at an IPRS PRISM clinic in the centre of Leicester. IPRS Health (Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Services) have a contract with Leicester City Council (LCC) to provide this service. This forward thinking initiative by LCC will have long lasting benefits for both the council and their employees alike and demonstrates the belief and value the council have in its employees.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a conventional sphere of medicine in the health profession that deals with various physical ailments of the human body. It involves an assessment, diagnosis & treatment. The treatment that you may receive from the IPRS Health physiotherapist will involve physical means to relieve pain, regain range of movement, restore muscle strength & return patients to their normal activities of daily living.
Referral Process
Referral
LCC have a large number of line managers trained in the referral process to ensure that employees who require treatment are quickly referred to IPRS Health. IPRS Health provide a secure on-line referral system for the referrals to be submitted secure and quickly. Managers can refer colleagues to IPRS Health for treatment without the need to involve Occupational Health.
Referred Employee Journey
Once the referral has been received by IPRS Health, we will aim to contact you within 24 hours to arrange an appointment for your Initial Assessment with us. The purpose of the call is to determine that you are suitable and willing to attend for treatment.There are a number of reasons which could preclude an employee from treatment through this service: limb in plaster, currently receiving physiotherapy elsewhere (private or NHS), late pregnancy etc. once the clinician has determined that you are suitable for treatment you will generally be offered an appointment for an Initial Assessment (IA) within three working days.
What does an Initial Assessment (IA) entail?
It consists of a two-part examination. Firstly, there is a formal verbal examination between the patient & the IPRS Health physiotherapist to ascertain what the problem is, when it happened & how it has happened. The symptoms will further be investigated with specific medical questions. Secondly, there is a physical examination in which the affected area is physically tested using specialist physiotherapy techniques. Following the Initial Assessment, a non medical report will be
sent to your referral manager. This report contains no medically confidential information – its contents are only classed as ‘management in confidence.’ The referring manager will issue you with a copy of the Assessment report and send a copy to the appropriate HR Team.
What does treatment entail?
Following an assessment & diagnosis, treatment will be focused on the painful/symptomatic area of your body. Treatment will entail specialist physiotherapy techniques to move & loosen stiff joints in the body. These joints may be in the neck, back or limbs. Treatment will most definitely entail exercises to strengthen weak muscles as well. Treatment, in most cases, will end with the administering of a home exercise program. This is to ensure continuation of treatment. It is important that patients adhere to the home exercise programs correctly, as ultimately each patient is responsible for their own body’s well being. You will be offered a clinically appropriate number of treatment sessions by your IPRS Health Physiotherapist.
Suitable Clothing
It will be helpful if you wear comfortable clothing and footwear for assessment and treatment sessions. In addition please ensure you arrive in good time for your appointment.
Escorted Visits
Female patients may, if required, attend their assessment or treatment sessions with a female chaperone.
Treatment pain:
Physiotherapy techniques are sometimes initially painful. However, this is due, in most cases, to excessive tightness in the muscles & joints. Hence, physiotherapy techniques aimed at loosening the tight joints & muscles may be slightly painful. It is important to note that no intentional harm is being done to the patient by the physiotherapist.
Latent pain
In addition there may be resulting soreness for a day or two following treatment. This is a 100% natural response of the human body to physiotherapy. If there are excessive exacerbations of pain however, following treatment, the physiotherapist must be immediately informed.
Discharge
Following your discharge from the referral process your manager will again be supplied with a ‘management in confidence’ report which will also be given to you and the HR Team.
Patients GP
A referral from your GP is NOT required to receive treatment through this programme. In certain circumstances, and with your consent, we will notify your GP or the LCC occupational health provider of our findings if further action is required out-with the musculoskeletal programme. This may be a letter to your GP requesting an HNS X-Ray or suchlike – where clinically appropriate.
Car Parking
Car parking is limited outside of the IPRS Health Clinic. You are advised to allow extra time before your appointment time to ensure you can get your car parked. If a female employee is attending for a chaperoned visit it is requested that both ladies arrive in the same car to limit car parking congestion.
Access Issues
If you require any special assistance, please advise the clinician when the appointment is made i.e. sight impairment, wheelchair access etc
Misc
Our aim at IPRS Health is to provide you, the patient, with the best treatment available so as to help relieve your painful symptoms. We ultimately endeavour to ensure that you return to work to perform your duties to your full capacity & are able to carry out both your normal social/home activities and work duties pain free.
Please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your treatment programme with your IPRS Health clinician when you are at our clinic. They will be pleased to discuss any issues you may have
Where to Find Us
8 De Montfort Street,
Leicester,
LE1 7GA
Telephone: 0116 344 0288
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