Southern Trust Physiotherapists the first in Northern Ireland to write prescriptions for patients | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Southern Trust Physiotherapists the first in Northern Ireland to write prescriptions for patients

Physiotherapists in the Southern Trust are among the first in Northern Ireland to write prescriptions for patients.

 

New Physiotherapy scheme to reduce waiting times - Southern Trust - Daisy Hill Hospital Newry - Newry online

 

The new scheme is part of a regional pilot looking at new ways of prescribing.

 

 

It aims to help reduce waiting times for medication and free up GP appointments for those who need them most.

In the first phase, physiotherapists working with patients who have Lymphoedema, can prescribe medication or garments where appropriate, for example, if the prescription is needed urgently or if the items are complex.

It is planned to extend the service in the new year, to include Orthopaedic ICATS and also Community Respiratory Physiotherapy, which could potentially support recovering Covid-19 patients when discharged from hospital. 

Carmel Harney Assistant Director, for Allied Health Professions at the Southern Trust explains, “With around one-third of GP appointments relating to physiotherapy issues, there are huge benefits for the profession working more closely with primary care colleagues.

“We are delighted to work with GP colleagues to find ways how we can all work better together to improve the patient experience. 

 

 

“We already have prescribing First Contact Physiotherapists, as part of Primary Care Multidisciplinary Teams, in a number of GP practices, helping with musculoskeletal problems like back, neck, joint pains or soft tissue injuries.

“The introduction of this new approach to prescribing is another way that we can make the most of specialist physiotherapy expertise, helping to ensure that patients get the right care as early as possible while freeing up GP time.”

The physiotherapy prescribing pilot will run for six months in the Southern and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trusts before being reviewed regionally by the Health and Social Care Board.

 

Copywriter Ireland - Paul Malone, Tall Paul Marketing, Freelance Belfast Copywriter - Tall Paul Marketing Blog Writer - Copywriter NI

 

Andrea Linton, Pharmacy and Medicines Management Co-ordinator, Health and Social Care Board says, “The aim of the pilot is to help improve access to medicines, reduce duplication of roles between different health and social care professionals and use the skills and experience of a wider range of prescribers.

“Over the next few months, we will be testing the effectiveness of the programme and identifying the benefits to patients,” she adds.

 

 

Patients with Lymphoedema should speak to their specialist physiotherapist to find out more. 

 

Keep up to date with the latest Northern Ireland business news, marketing tips and tricks and advice for local businesses on the Tall Paul Marketing website.

 

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Posted by on Dec 21 2020. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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