New Service First Contact Physiotherapy

On the 1st of September 2022, the new First Contact Physiotherapy Service will launch.

This service is aimed at people suffering from musculoskeletal and joint problems. It has been recognised, where clinically appropriate, that patients should be triaged and have a consultation with a Physiotherapist, who is better qualified to treat musculoskeletal and joint problems, rather than see a GP or Nurse Practitioner and then be referred and wait longer for appropriate help.

The service has been set up in partnership with Riverview Primary Care Network. Initially, appointments will take place over the phone during a 20 minute slot between 09:30 and 17:30, Monday – Friday, with face to face consultations happening only where clinically necessary at Royal Arsenal Medical Centre.

We recommend you contact the surgery in the normal way to use this service and our Care Navigators will book an appointment for you.

Ben Irudayaraj is an experienced physiotherapist who will initially phone triage patients (due to COVID) and arrange face to face appointments where clinically necessary. He will be able to request further investigations, following an initial triage assessment and in consultation with your own GP.

Test Results

Results Of Tests And Investigations

Please call after 11:00 to enquire about your test results as our reception staff will have more time to deal with your request.

Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.

At your appointment, you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice. It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if you are advised to do so.

Get Test Results

Most test results are available within the week after the test.

Make sure to find out when you are with your Doctor or Nurse how to obtain the results. It usually will be one of 2 options:

• We will only inform you if there is a problem
• Your Doctor will inform you

Blood Tests

A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical tests. For example, a blood test can be used to:

• assess your general state of health
• confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child’s hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.

X-Rays

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

If you have an X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.