Appointments
Provide Physiotherapy Service and the entire healthcare system are delivering care via remote consultations, such as telephone or video, when it is safe and appropriate for service users.
However, we recognise that a face-to-face appointment may still be necessary based on your own individual needs and preferences.
We recommend you carefully consider what type of appointment would be best for you, prior to booking your physiotherapy assessment, as there any many factors to take into consideration.
See details below for more information on telephone, video, and face-to-face appointments that we can offer you and complete What type of physiotherapy appointment do I need? tool to help you reach the best decision for your initial assessment.
Our Appointment Types
Most of the information that our physiotherapists need to form a diagnosis will come from the history taking during your initial assessment, which can usually be safely carried out over the telephone.
Our team are skilled in assessing musculoskeletal problems over the phone, by asking the right questions to collect the information needed to make the best decisions regarding your further care.
Based on the information gathered during the telephone assessment, your physiotherapist will discuss whether you would benefit from a follow-up face-to-face appointment, if you require a physical examination or specific exercise prescription.
Further appointments, if required, will be agreed between you and your physiotherapists following your initial assessment and you will have the choice whether this appointment is telephone, video or face-to-face, based on your individual needs.
To ensure you get the most out of the telephone assessment, please make sure you are in a quiet place with a strong signal, if you are using your mobile phone, and where you feel comfortable to discuss confidential or personal information regarding your musculoskeletal problem.
Your physiotherapist will call you on your preferred number at the time of your appointment and this comprehensive telephone assessment can take up to 45 minutes to complete.
Video consultations are as convenient and flexible as a telephone appointment but with the added benefit of talking face to face with your physiotherapist and being able to receive a basic physical examination virtually.
Video appointments can also save you time and money, as well as reducing the stress of travelling, and avoids the risks of you catching healthcare associated infections at the community hospital or clinic. There are also the benefits to the environment too.
It is also possible for you to have a family member or friend with you during your video consultation if you would like someone else present. You will need a devise with a camera and microphone enabled, as well as a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Watch this short video providing guidance for NHS patients on what to expect when having video consultations with your physiotherapist or other healthcare professional.
Click Here for a quick guide on video consulting with your NHS.
Our team are highly skilled in assessing and diagnosing musculoskeletal problems via video consultation, by completing a detailed history taking and then advising you to carry out a series of physical tests so that your physiotherapist can observe how you are moving and what movements cause your symptoms.
Based on the information gathered during the video assessment, your physiotherapist will discuss whether you would benefit from a follow-up face-to-face appointment, if you require a more comprehensive physical examination or specific exercise prescription.
Further appointments, if required, will be agreed between you and your physiotherapists following your initial assessment and you will have the choice whether this appointment is telephone, video or face-to-face, based on your individual needs.
Provide Physiotherapy Service use a secure patient-facing mobile app called AirMid for video consultations. You do not need to download any software before your video appointment and will be sent a link via SMS/Email at the start of your virtual consultation. For more information on how to use AirMid – Click Here
Please read this Guidance for Video Consultations leaflet, for further details on how to prepare and join your video appointment to ensure you get the most out of the video assessment.
Provide Physiotherapy Service follow all relevant national guidance and comply with infection prevention and control standards to ensure that our sites are safe to visit should you need or prefer a face-to-face appointment.
Current measures, to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission and other infectious viruses, include the use of hand sanitisers and our physiotherapists wearing the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for certain procedures.
Our Physiotherapists. service users and visitors to our site are not routinely required to wear a facemask unless it is their personal preference or there is a specific reason due to an individual’s high risk of infection.
By choosing to attend a face-to-face assessment in the Provide Physiotherapy Service, you accept the risk of COVID-19 and other infectious viruses to yourself, and you are aware of the alternative appointment options available, such as telephone or video consultations.
If you are unsure what your own level of risk for attending a face-to-face appointment, please complete the COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Screening Tool.
On arrival for your appointment, please adhere to the following:
- Arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment time to minimise the number of people in the waiting room
- Attend on your own or with only one carer/parent if possible
- Use the hand sanitisers available
- Maintain social distancing in the waiting area if possible
- Facemasks are optional
For the latest NHS advice and guidance about COVID-19 – Click Here.
Please reschedule your face-to-face appointment (Contact us) if any of the following apply:
- You have a high temperature, new continuous cough and/or loss of taste or smell
- You or a member of your household/family have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 10 days
- You or a member of your household/family are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
- You have travelled internationally in the last 10 days to a country that is on the government red list
- You or a member of your household/family have been advised to isolate by any NHS organisation in the last 10 days
Summary of Appointment Types
The table below provides an overview of the benefits for each type of appointment, to assist you in making the best decision for you regarding your initial physiotherapy assessment.
Based on your answers and according to government guidance regarding measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission, you are currently unable to attend a face-to-face appointment.
Please request a video consultation for your physiotherapy assessment following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
Based on your answers, you have the option to attend a face-to-face appointment providing you have completed the COVID-19 Risk Assessment and are not deemed ‘high risk’.
Please request a face-to-face appointment or video consultation, depending on your preference, for your physiotherapy assessment following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
What type of physiotherapy appointment do I need?
Complete this quick decision support tool to find out what type of initial physiotherapy appointment (telephone, video, or face-to-face) would be most appropriate for your individual needs related to your musculoskeletal problem.
Based on your answers, the most appropriate initial physiotherapy appointment for your musculoskeletal problem would be a face-to-face assessment, although you do have the option of having a video or telephone appointment if you would prefer.
Please reply with your preferred appointment type by following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
Based on your answers, the most appropriate initial physiotherapy appointment for your musculoskeletal problem would be a video assessment, although you do have the option of having a telephone or face-to-face appointment if you would prefer.
Please reply with your preferred appointment type by following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
Based on your answers, although a video assessment would be appropriate for your initial physiotherapy appointment for your musculoskeletal problem, it might be more suitable for you to have a face-to-face assessment for other reasons, such as your expectations, wellbeing, lack of digital access, or communication difficulties. You do have the option of having a video or telephone appointment if you would prefer.
Please reply with your preferred appointment type by following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
Based on your answers, although a telephone assessment would be appropriate for your initial physiotherapy appointment for your musculoskeletal problem, it might be more suitable for you to have a face-to-face assessment for other reasons, such as your expectations, wellbeing, lack of digital access, or communication difficulties. You do have the option of having a telephone or video appointment if you would prefer.
Please reply with your preferred appointment type by following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
Based on your answers, the most appropriate initial physiotherapy appointment for your musculoskeletal problem would be a telephone assessment, although you do have the option of having a video or face-to-face appointment if you would prefer.
Please reply with your preferred appointment type by following the instructions sent via SMS/Email.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net.
How To Book My First Appointment
Once you have decided what type of appointment you would like for your initial physiotherapy assessment, please reply via the link you received via SMS/Email, stating your preference between telephone, video, or face-to-face appointment. You will then be sent a further link to book your video or face-to-face appointment through our secure online booking system, or you will be called by the Care Co-Ordination Centre to book your telephone appointment.
If you unable to complete this online booking, or you would prefer to have a telephone assessment, please contact the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 1310 111 or by email at provide.askus@nhs.net to book your appointment.
You will have 7 days to complete your first appointment booking or you’ll be discharged, and your GP practice will be informed. If you cannot attend your appointment or no longer require physiotherapy, please Contact us so that we can offer this appointment to someone else.
What To Expect From My First Appointment
It is essential that you complete the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire prior to your first appointment as this provides the Physiotherapy Service with important information to help evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment. You will receive a link via SMS/Email to complete this questionnaire online, although you can also complete and submit via our website – Click Here.
For further information, please read Our Appointment Types to ensure you get the most out of your initial assessment, whether this is a telephone, video, or face-to-face appointment. This is especially important if you are having a video assessment, as you will need to check you have the required technology before your appointment. Click Here for more details on how to prepare and join your video appointment.
Your first appointment, regardless of what method of contact, will allow your physiotherapist to complete an initial assessment and establish whether physiotherapy is the most suitable treatment for your musculoskeletal problem. Please wear appropriate clothing, for video and face-to-face appointments, to enable your physiotherapist to properly assess the area and observe the available movement. This may involve you needing to partially undress.
You will receive some advice and guidance at the end of the initial assessment on the best way to manage your musculoskeletal problem and a follow-up appointment, whether telephone, video, or face-to-face, will be discussed and agreed as appropriate. You will have the opportunity to raise any questions or concerns, which your physiotherapist will address.
Meet Our Team
