Health board rejects survey claims over Forth Valley physio services

A health board spokesman said to bring services together in one area within Forth Valley Royal Hospital and provide more outpatient services closer to home, a small number of physiotherapy services will be moving to other local facilities.

The study’s authors claim reports from across Scotland - including Forth Valley NHS - reveal how services are too slow to re-open and re-start, while rehabilitation facilities are being used for storage space and meeting rooms.

Forth Valley Royal Hospital is among those affected, the society claims.

Its musculoskeletal outpatient and women’s and children’s physiotherapy is being converted into an urgent care centre, while the preferred new site does not have space for a gym.

The society points out that physiotherapy is critical to Covid-19 rehabilitation, as patients recover from fatigue, ongoing respiratory problems, deconditioning and poor mental health.

And closing rehabilitation services means many non-Covid patients with long-term conditions have deteriorated and now need more help.

Cardiac, stroke and respiratory patients also continue to need support.

Kenryck Lloyd-Jones, CSP Public Affairs and Policy Manager for Scotland, said: “The reports we are receiving from across Scotland are deeply concerning.

"It seems that not only are physiotherapy and rehabilitation services being slow to restart, they are being moved without relocation plans, downgraded or undervalued.

"We recognise the challenges in health settings and the need to re-organise, but it is essential that rehabilitation services are prioritised.

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“Changes require proper consultation, risk assessment and planning. It is critical that the rehabilitation needs of people are not forgotten.

"A number of patient groups are also warning of a lack of investment and undervaluing of rehabilitation.

"While some rehabilitation is taking place virtually, physiotherapists still need enough space and equipment to run sessions effectively."

A spokesperson for Forth Valley NHS said: "As part of a wider plans to co-locate existing urgent care services together in one area within Forth

Valley Royal Hospital and provide more outpatient services closer to home, a small number of physiotherapy services will be moving to other local facilities.

"MSK outpatient services are already provided in a number of community settings across Forth Valley and patients will continue to be able to access gym facilities across the Forth Valley area."

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