Due to the current Corona virus pandemic, we have changed the way we deliver our physiotherapy, exercise therapy and back and neck services.  Many of our clinical team have been redeployed to work with colleagues in the local hospital, community teams and in peoples own homes to support the delivery of care during this challenging time for our national health service.

Because of this redeployment and to keep our patients and team members as safe as we can from the virus, until further notice all patients will  have a telephone consultation only, and be advised to self-manage where possible with the exercises and advice sent to them.  Where this is not possible you will be offered telephone follow up management.

There may be exceptional circumstances when the physiotherapist talking to you on the phone feels, with your agreement, that they need to see you face to face.  We have arrangements in place for this to  happen and your physiotherapist will talk to you about this if required.

We do have a long list of patients who had appointments already booked that we have had to cancel.  Be assured we are working through this list to call you all as soon as we can.  If your symptoms are worsening and  you are increasingly concerned about the problem you were being seen for, please contact us by e mail on centraladmin​@nhs​.net

If you need to cancel your appointment, please do this via email, at centraladmin​@nhs​.net.

Thanks you for your patience at this time, continue with your home exercises and advice, and most of all stick to the advice we are all being given on keeping safe at this time.

Jo Douglas

CEO AHP Suffolk

Open Gym at our Riverside and Hartismere Lodge sites have been cancelled until further notice.

Please could you pass on the message to any other attendees to save them a wasted journey.

Coronavirus – guidance in line with I&ESCCG and WSCCG:

The NHS in Suffolk and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. 

The current advice is; if you or anyone in your household have developed a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature stay at home and do not leave your house for 14 days from when your symptoms started.

People in the 'at risk' categories below should be self isolating on advice from Public Health England.

·         aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

·         under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):

·         chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis

·         chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

·         chronic kidney disease

·         chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis

·         chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy

·         diabetes

·         problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed

·         a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

·         being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)

·         those who are pregnant

Do not attend your physiotherapy appointment.  This will be delivered by a telephone call as explained further up the page.

Do not go to a GP surgery or hospital. Stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

If your symptoms worsen during home isolation, or you are not better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access you should call 111.

Further information is available on gov​​.uk/​​coronavirus and nhs​​.uk. 

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands. 

If you need to cancel your physiotherapy appointments, you can e mail us at centraladmin@nhs.net or if you have no access to email or need to speak to a physiotherapist urgently, phone on 03330 433966 and one of our patient services coordinators will be able to help you.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www​​.gov​​.uk/​​coronavirus

Last updated 9th April 2020