Introduction: The importance of physiotherapy in palliative care is well recognised. However, there is little information about the role of specialist physiotherapy services for patients in National Health Service palliative care units. A specialist physiotherapy service at Woodlands Day Hospice,(voluntary funded) has recently been extended, providing care for palliative care inpatients at Aintree Hospital NHS Trust. Aims: 1.To assess the impact of a new specialist palliative care physiotherapy service on referrals and patient care. 2.To identify interventions offered by the new service.
Methods: A prospective survey was carried out on all patients referred to the new physiotherapy service over a 1 year period.
Results: 234 patients were referred to the service. This included 90% of all patients admitted to the in-patient palliative care unit. The mean number of referrals was 18 per month compared to a previous mean of 1.9. 97% of referrals were seen within 24 hours and a range of physiotherapy interventions were used including the management of impaired mobilty and the nonpharmacological management of breathlessness and pain. 50% of the patients seen were also known to the physiotherapy service via Woodlands Day Hospice.
Conclusion: The introduction of a specialist physiotherapy service for palliative care in-patients was associated with a significant increase in the number of referrals for physiotherapy and easier access for patients. Integration of care between the NHS and voluntary sector was improved, with better continuity and more effective communication between professionals. Further studies need to evaluate the effectiveness of individual physiotherapy interventions for palliative care patients.