NHS Physio 6 sessions rule

[PhillMc]

We only get 6 appointments in my area, but you self refer. So i just keep refering myself, only problem with this is that i get a different physio every time and with the multitude of problems i have they never get far with helping me.

[trekster]

Must be unusual for mine but i can have as many as we both feel i need. Thats North Somerset.

[leashy11]

Good news on the physio front, the one I've been referred onto from the original one understands alot about HMS and is very well informed about pelvic joints. She was astounded and horrified at how much my pelvis moves around even in an SI belt and grasped that I would be head to toe trigger points because of my loopy joints and also how the pelvis for me is key to helping lots of other areas. She's given me a very basic Transversus Abs and Multifidus contraction to go away and do and has barred me from all the other exercises the previous physios have given me because they're too advanced for me right now. She wants to work on correcting firing sequences and faulty movement patterns as opposed to standard core exercises which makes more sense to me. Best of all she's completely disregarding the 6 session rule in my case and has said not to worry about it she'll see me as long as she's able to help. I'm very relieved although I know, as does she, it will take a long time for me to get anywhere but at least I don't have to fret about being discharged before we've done anything!

[Spireite]

Great news Leashy. How do we spread the word that it is a better rule to keep going while ever they are able to help? That is how it works with my consultant.

[trekster]

Mine also allows as many sessions as i feel i need.

Change that to once ive been given all the exercises im left to get on with it!

[Jo_dee]

I've had double appointments and at my hospital it appears to be for "new referrals" where they get to go over new problems. But that in itself was a bit weird for me because my first ever appointment with him entailed me talking about ALL the problems i had and he said, ok we'll work on arms, shoulders etc first. Then once that was all manageable he tried to discharge me but I reminded him of my lower half, and I had to have a double appointment for that.

I've been seeing mine for around 6 months so far and I hope I continue to see him. There's been no mention of the 6 session rule for me, but its 5 for hydrotherapy where I go.

[moonmaiden]

I hope this isn't the case in my area, I'm going up to the physio tomorrow for session 5! He hasn't mentioned a limited number of sessions but we'll see how we go.
I presume you need to be re-referred by a GP if you need to go back again?

[moonmaiden]

Just to say I've now got booked physio session 7 Vey relieved as I'm still in a lot of pain and would have been very upset if it had ended at 6

[raewire]

Does anyone know whether or not Warrington an Halton PCT have this 6 session physio rule? I'm due to start physio with their hms specialist physio next month, but know that I'll need more than 6 sessions to get sorted.

[moonmaiden]

If you've been referred for the HMS you should get as many sessions as you need as it's a chronic condition, but I do realise that might not always be the case.
You could always ask the physio on your first appointment? I've got my fingers crossed for you.

[pink]

It is crazy re the rule. In Bradford I never had that rule myself but didn't get loads of sessions and unless something quite badly wrong was eventually discharged and to manage the condition with my exercises and pacing. However, after paying for private physio finding it helps to have the regular visits (sometimes monthly and sometimes weekly depending - in a fibro flare so its v regular at the mo). I know its not an option for everyone due to costs but I have a cash plan with simply health through work which contributes towards this ongoing cost

[dragondee]

I got 6 sessions for my back then the physio sent me to the exercise class (type of tai chi on the nhs) but I only get 8 sessions of that and if I have to miss one because of the weather or if I'm sick they dont get added on at the end, so I end up with 5 or 6.

Dragondee