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Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists work with patients who have been affected by injury, illness or disability to assess and help restore movement and function to as near normal as possible. We also work to promote health and wellbeing and empower patients to manage their own conditions.

The Physiotherapy Department

Our physiotherapists aim to improve a broad range of physical problems associated with body systems. These include:

  • The neuromuscular system (brain and nerves)
  • The musculoskeletal system (soft tissues, joints, and bones)
  • The cardiovascular and respiratory systems (heart and lungs)

We offer tailored services to treat a wide range of different patients, and our team divides into the following disciplines:

  • Children’s physiotherapy
  • Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
  • Stroke, neurology, and amputee rehabilitation
  • Orthopaedic physiotherapy and occupational therapy
  • Respiratory and cardiac physiotherapy
  • Women’s and men’s health physiotherapy

We run aquacise sessions where people can use our hydrotherapy pool as an alternative to using a public swimming pool. Please contact the Department for times and prices.

We make our hospital facilities available for use by other organisations such as Harrogate Heart Support Group who use the gym twice a week for exercise groups for those with cardiac conditions, and the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) who also use the gym and pool on a regular basis.

Our team

We are a multidisciplinary team based in Harrogate District Hospital, Ripon Community Hospital and community locations. This includes GP surgeries, patients’ homes, nursing and residential homes and mainstream and special schools.

We also work within the Falls Prevention Service, the Musculoskeletal Service, the Specialist Children’s Services, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Physiotherapists are supported by physiotherapy or rehabilitation assistants, who may monitor your exercise or rehabilitation programme after your initial assessment by the physiotherapist. In addition to this, we often have physiotherapy students from York St John University who are doing their clinical training placements with us. You will be asked if you are happy to be treated by a student who is under the close supervision of a qualified staff member before we give you an appointment.

Feedback

We are keen to involve our patients as much possible in the planning and delivery of services. This is to ensure that we provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time, and that we learn from your experience and understand where changes need to be made. We sometimes hold specific focus groups and welcome any feedback you would like to share with us. Please do get in touch to share your experiences in the Department.

Opening times

Physiotherapy Department, Harrogate District Hospital:

Monday-Friday, 7.30am-6pm.

Physiotherapy Department, Ripon Community Hospital:

Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm. On some evenings we open until 6pm. Please call the Department for more information.

Location

Harrogate District Hospital

Therapy Services Department, main wing, ground floor
Harrogate District Hospital
Lancaster Park Road
Harrogate
HG2 7SX

Ripon Community Hospital

Martindale Wing, to the right of the main hospital building
Ripon Community Hospital
Firby Lane
Ripon
HG4 2PR

Referral

The majority of our patients are referred to us by a GP or a hospital consultant. Other healthcare professionals may also refer patients. If you have a condition that you believe would benefit from physiotherapy, please speak to your doctor about it first.

Key staff

Team Leader, Children’s Services: Fran Hartley

Principal Physiotherapist, Stroke, Neurology, and Amputee Rehabilitation: Pam Bagot

Team Leader, Orthopaedic Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy: Karen Alford

Team Leader, Respiratory & Cardiac Physiotherapy: Vera Davison

Advanced Physiotherapist, Women’s & Men’s Health: Jo Prosper

Professional Advisor in Physiotherapy: Claire Arditto

Useful links

The Musculoskeletal Partnership is a joint venture between local organisations and individuals who promote and provide community activity for people with musculoskeletal conditions: Age Concern Knaresborough and Backcare North Yorkshire & York.

Their objective is to create activity programmes that will guide people of all ages towards better health and wellbeing. For more information, email: info@ageconcernknaresborough.org.uk or backcarenorth@aol.com or ring 01423 864956.

All of our physiotherapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and are chartered.  For more information about this means, please visit the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website.

Harrogate Health Hub provides more information about your aches and pains and what you can do to help yourself.