Physiotherapy - Cluster 13

Student Placement Information

Solent West Community Neurological Physiotherapy

Service / Community Neurological Physiotherapy
Location(s) / See table below
Key contact details / See table below
Description of Service / The Neurological Rehabilitation Services based in Southampton, offer Neurological assessments and treatment plans centred around clients goals to improve their independence and quality of life. Our services are based in a variety of settings in order to accommodate patients on an individual basis. This can be in a client’s home, an out-patient setting or in-patient ward.
The Community Stroke team support and facilitate a safe and early discharge from the acute hospital to home and deliver intense stroke rehabilitation in the patient’s home environment. The service operates from 8.00 to 16.00 Monday – Friday and from 8.00 – 12.00 at weekends and bank holidays.
Snowdon Neurological Rehabilitation Unit offers in-patient rehab following both Newly diagnosed and long term neurological conditions. The Unit admits patients from both the Community and the Acute hospitals in order to facilitate the achievement of identified goals. The referral criteria are based upon the client having a Neurological diagnosis and goals that are achievable through therapeutic intervention during their inpatient stay. Length of stays varies from 2-12 weeks dependant on the clients needs.
The Community Neurological Team offer therapy to clients in both their own home and in an Out-patient setting. This includes individual and group treatment and is based upon jointly agreed goals between the client and therapist. The Rehabilitation Gym also offers specialist clinics including; Spasticity Management, Orthotic and Functional Electrical Stimulation. The teams are multi-disciplinary and are support by a Rehabilitation Consultant.
The Transition Team offer Neurological rehabilitation and support to young adults with complex physical disability (with a Southampton GP) who are making the transition from paediatric to adult services. The therapists (OT and Physio) work alongside paediatric therapists (from age 14+) and then assist young people and their families to access the appropriate adult services. The majority of the service is delivered within the community at a mixture of residential and educational settings. The aim is to support disabled young people to become empowered adults by enabling them to gain the skills needed to manage their health condition.
Other areas of interest and related experience available / Whilst on placement within our services we aim to offer experience within the variety of settings our Rehabilitation takes place. We work closely with Occupational Therapists, Specialist Nurse, Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians, and as appropriate, would be happy to support the students development within the wider area of Neurological Rehabilitation and management.
Work/Shift pattern / Monday – Friday 8.30 – 16.30
NB. The Community Stroke Team offer services between 8.00 – 16.00 Mon – Fri and a weekend service 8.00 – 12.00. Students would be expected to liaise with their supervisor as to their hours and days of working.
Dress/Uniform code / Standard Uniform – Tunics or Polo shirts acceptable.
Staff room / Rest Room facilities / Canteen available at the Western Hospital.
Staff areas indentified on induction to your placement site.
Library / IT Resources / No library facilities available on site.
Internet available whilst on placement.
Induction / Orientation Programmes
Welcome Folder / All students will complete the Solent NHS Trust Student Learning Record during their first placement.
Individual induction completed by supervisor on commencement of placement.
Student Tutorial / Seminar Programme (if available) / Teaching programme weekly delivered by Therapy Team members.
Prior recommended reading / websites / resources / Neurological Assessment revision
Common Neurological conditions seen;
CVA (NB. Within the Stroke Rehab team, this is the only condition you will treat) –
Multiple Sclerosis –
Guillain Barre/ Peripheral Neuropathies –
Head Injury-
Spinal Injuries-
Motor Neurone Disease –
Common assessments / interventions / procedures / treatments / evaluations / Goal orientated treatment plans, could include:
Gait re-education
Stretching & Strengthening
Group exercise
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Taping/Splint making
Seating Assessments
Common conditions seen / See above
Specific areas of expertise/clinical skills which students can observe / learn from / Practice / Specialist Physiotherapist available within each clinical area.
Specialist skills can include:
Bobath trained therapists
Spasticity Management
Orthotic Provision
Splint Making
Seating Assessments
List of inter-professional learning opportunities available during placement / Skills in Multi-disciplinary working within each clinical area will be developed. Disciplines involve:
Occupational Therapist
Rehabilitation Assisstants
Speech and Language Therapist
Dieticians
Psychologists
Councillors
Specialist Nurses
Medical Professionals
Our expectations of learners whilst on this placement / To develop skills in the Assessment and Treatment of clients with a Neurological diagnosis within a goal orientated environment. We aim to enable students to develop skills that will provide a sound basis to begin their career and continue to develop once they begin working as a qualified Physiotherapist.

Locations and key contact details for Solent West Community Neurological Physiotherapy Placements:

Inpatient Neurological Rehabilitation / Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team / Snowdon Rehab Unit
Western Community Hospital / Olivia Chuter (Band 7 PT)
Helen Adams (Band 7 PT) / 02380 296204
Community Neurological Rehabilitation / Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team / Western Community Hospital / Sara Phillips (Band 7 PT)
Heather (Band 7 PT) / 02380 296222
Out-patient Neurological Rehabilitation / Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team / Adelaide Health Centre
Western Community Hospital Campus / Mary Vincent (Band 7 PT) / 02380 608031
Community Stroke Rehabilitation / Community Stroke Team / Oakhill House, Shirley / Gemma Brown (Band 7 PT) / 02380 698669
Transition Team / Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team / Western Community Hospital / Julie Barnes (Band 6 PT) / 02380 296210