At Darent Valley Hospital our neurological physiotherapy outpatient’s clinic is run by senior physiotherapists who are experienced in seeing patients with a variety of neurological diagnoses.

The main ethos of our service is to help patient’s manage their long term neurological conditions.

The service delivers evidence-based rehabilitation using a patient-centred approach.

Referrals are received from GP’s, Consultants, Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and other therapists. We aim to see patients within 6 weeks of receiving the referral.

We have close networks with our wider multidisciplinary team including neurologists, clinical nurse specialist teams, specialist centres and community services.

We run assessment and treatment sessions to enable patients with an exacerbation or progression of their neurological condition to manage their condition. This is completed in a clinic setting at Darent Valley Hospital.

Some of the neurological conditions we regularly see include:

  1. Multiple sclerosis
  2. Parkinson’s disease
  3. Strokes
  4. Spinal cord injuries
  5. Muscular dystrophies

With the main aim to manage long term neurological conditions we specialise in

  1. Advice on long term symptom management
  2. Gait analysis and re-education
  3. Walking aid provision
  4. Exercise and physical activity advice
  5. Strengthening exercise programmes
  6. Stretching programmes
  7. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) assessment
  8. Fatigue management
  9. Discussions and advice on disease progression and exacerbations
  10. Signposting to appropriate support networks, groups and leisure centres
  11. Spasticity management

All our patients receive a full neurological physiotherapy assessment which can, where appropriate include onward referrals to appropriate services:

  1. hydrotherapy
  2. community neurological rehabilitation services such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy
  3. Continence team
  4. Orthotics
  5. Wheelchair services
  6. Local NHS talking therapy services

Please note – it is our experience that patients who require hospital transport or who require mechanical transfer aids are usually able to be better assessed in their own environment by the Community Therapists.