two Speech and Language Therapy staff smiling at PCH

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Services combines the Allied Health Professions (AHP) of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy (also known as Therapy Services), Nutrition & Dietetics and Speech & Language Therapy teams under one management structure.  

We provide a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services for adults and children. We work closely with our patients, carers and other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and social workers to provide the best possible patient care.  

In addition to our qualified staff, we also have supporting assistants and technicians. These staff are trained to deliver elements of your treatment plan, within defined protocols and under the supervision of a qualified member of staff. Rehabilitation Services is also supported by a team of administrative and clerical staff.

Inpatient Therapy Team

Our inpatient therapy team includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists, therapy technicians, senior therapy assistants and therapy assistants who form part of individual specialty teams working across the Trust.

The specialties include:

  • orthopaedics
  • neurology
  • critical care
  • medicine
  • care of the elderly
  • surgery & amputees
  • paediatrics

Our teams work alongside clinicians to identify, assess, treat and arrange discharge for patients who require therapy during their hospital stay.

Outpatient Therapy Team

Our outpatient therapy service is delivered at both hospital sites and is staffed by occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Our specialties include:

  • amputee rehabilitation
  • hand therapy
  • musculoskeletal
  • neurology
  • paediatrics
  • women and men’s health
  • respiratory

Assessments and treatments are held in individual 'one-to-one' and group sessions that are carried out in well-equipped clinic rooms and gyms across both Peterborough City and Hincingbrooke hospital sites. 

Your appointment

Before your appointment

If you have any queries prior to your appointment, or any special requirements, please contact us and we will do our very best to meet your individual needs.

  •  Check which hospital to go to, as we hold appointments at both hospitals (Peterborough City Hospital and Stamford Hospital) 
  • Please bring a list of any medicines you are taking
  • 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.  So please make sure you wear suitable underwear. You may also wish to bring a pair of shorts.
  • Please arrive on time. If you are late, we may not be able to see you, as this can cause delays for patients who have appointments after you.
  • Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your appointment as arriving early will not mean you get seen earlier
  • You can bring a relative or friend with you to your appointment if you wish
  • Your appointment may last up to 60 minutes for some conditions, so please allow plenty of time for your visit

What can you expect at your appointment?

The therapist will:

  • assess how your problem is affecting your life and the level of fitness you need for your usual activities 
  • ask lots of questions, watch how you move and examine the  area where you have your symptoms or where they feel the symptoms may be coming from
  • explain how to manage your symptoms, contribute to your own recovery and, if appropriate, prevent the problem from recurring
  • provide you with a home exercise programme
  • provide you with leaflets and instructions for treatment if they are relevant for you
  • provide you with the name and contact telephone number of your treating therapist to contact if you have any questions or problems

We provide students placements for both physiotherapy and occupational therapy. These students are supervised by qualified staff and they may provide your assessment and treatment or be involved in your care. It is valuable training for students and does not affect the quality of your treatment in any way, but please tell us if you do not want them to be present or involved. We will always respect your wishes. 

Cancelling or changing an appointment

  • Please give us at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or change your appointment. If you do not come to your appointment and haven't contacted us, we will discharge you back to your referring doctor. 
  • Telephone: 01733 673555 (Outpatient Call Centre)
  • We may ask you to complete a short questionnaire when you come for your first appointment. Please let the receptionist know if you have difficulties with this. 

After your appointment

The therapist will discuss with you the best way to manage your problem. You may be:

  • given advice on how to manage your condition at home 
  • started on a course of individual therapy
  • referred to a group or class treatment/information session specific to your condition. 

Student Placements

Rehabilitation Services facilitates undergraduate clinical placements for students undertaking BSc (hons) and MSc (Pre-Reg) degrees in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy in partnership with our local Higher Education Institutions. Students coming to us on placement will work across a variety of inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Students undertaking clinical placements are supported by a team of Practice Educators and have regular protected supervision time and opportunities to learn how to work as part of a multi-professional team.

If you are an undergraduate student looking for an elective placement, please contact the Allied Health Professions Practice Educator, Rachel Redford at r.redford@nhs.net 

Our dietetic leads work in specialist areas including: nutrition support, critical care, enteral feeding, renal, paediatrics, neonatology, gastroenterology, oncology and palliative care.