Physiotherapy

What we do

Physiotherapy is concerned with human function and movement. It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical health and well-being, taking account of a patient’s individual needs.

All our patients are first assessed by a qualified physiotherapist, who will then put together an appropriate treatment plan.

Our physiotherapists provide a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services for children and adults. They work closely with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, nurses and doctors.

They provide specialist services to a range of clinical areas, including:

• Medical and surgical wards
• Critical Care
• Health and Aging Unit
• Orthopaedic wards
• Neurology and neurosurgery
• Paediatrics (children's health)
• Womens health (urogynaecology)
• Musculoskeletal Outpatients
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Renal rehabilitation
  

Treatment programmes include:

• rehabilitation to ensure patients have the best possible level of independence and movement
• respiratory care for patients in intensive care after surgery or who have a chronic respiratory disease
• reducing pain and improving patients’ range of movement in their joints
• helping to plan safe discharge for patients.
  

Treatments include exercise therapy, manual and manipulation therapy, acupuncture, neurological and amputee rehabilitation and respiratory care. We advise carers and provide health education and a number of classes including:

• osteoarthritis knee class
• core stability back class
• lower limb class
• chronic pain education sessions
• pregnancy advice sessions.
  

Outpatient clinics
Outpatient appointments are available between 8am and 5pm and patients have a choice of clinic location and appointment time. We hold clinics in a number of locations including:

• King's College Hospital, Therapy Suite, 1st floor, Golden Jubilee Wing
• Dulwich Community Hospital, East Dulwich Grove, SE22 8PT
• Peckham Pulse Healthy Living Centre, 10 Melon Road, SE15 5QN
• a number of GP practices and community settings
  

Preparing for your appointment

Please wear appropriate clothing to help us assess your problem more easily. For example, we may ask you to take off some of your clothes so we can see the affected part/s of your body.

Physiotherapy students supervised by a qualified physiotherapist may assess you.

Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your appointment as arriving early will not mean you get seen earlier.

If you arrive late we may not be able to see you and you will have to rebook your appointment.

Location

First floor, Golden Jubilee Wing, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 8042
• Physiotherapy Appointments (Mon-Fri: 9am to 4pm): +44 (0)20 3299 8220
• Physiotherapy secretary: +44 (0)20 3299 8042

Patient Information Leaflets

Conditions we treat

Patients can be referred for physiotherapy assessment of the following clinical conditions:

Musculoskeletal (MSK)
Adults with acute or long-term disorders of their musculoskeletal systems, including back pain, neck pain, recent soft tissue injuries, recent fractures, severe worsening of an existing musculoskeletal condition, conditions which limit the patient's ability to carry out other functions in their everyday life such as work or carer responsibilities. Treatment plans may include:

• exercise therapy
• education and advice
• classes
• manual therapies
• electrotherapy
• acupuncture
• hydrotherapy at Guy's & St Thomas'.
  

Neurological
Adults with neurological and physical impairment which is limiting their activity, function, indpendence and quality of life.

Respiratory
Treatments for respiratory patients include methods to assist with panic and anxiety, sputum clearance, breathing control and education, with the overall aim of increasing patients' mastery over their condition.

The following patients can be referred:

• COPD/asthma
• bronchiectasis
• cough
• breathing pattern disorders/hyperventilation.
  

Pulmonary rehabilitation is available for patients whose main issue is functional limitation due to breathlesssness caused by lung disease.

What is required before referring a patient

To process referrals quickly and speed up appointment offers, when referring patients for physiotherapy please provide accurate information about:

• duration of symptoms
• affect of symptoms on work and sleep
• neuro symptoms.
  

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

Outpatient referrals for urgent or routine conditions follow the same process. All referrals are prioritised by a senior physiotherapist within 24 working hours of receipt of the referral request.

Send referrals to:
Therapy Suite
1st Floor, Golden Jubilee Wing
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS

Or fax to 020 3299 8205

Send referrals for pulmonary rehabilitation to:

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team
Dulwich Hospital
East Dulwich Grove
London SE22 8PT

Or fax to 020 3299 6094

Or email to kch-tr.PulmonaryRehab1@nhs.net

Emergency Referrals

Outpatient referrals for urgent or routine conditions follow the same process. All referrals are prioritised by a senior physiotherapist within 24 working hours of receipt of the referral request.

Send referrals to:
Therapy Suite
1st Floor, Golden Jubilee Wing
King's College Hospital

Or fax to 020 3299 8205

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy referral form

Key Clinical Staff