What is a community appointment day?
This is your appointment with an advanced physiotherapy practitioner in the Orthopaedic Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (Orthopaedic CATS), however it will be delivered in a different way to what you may be expecting. Rather than in a clinic it will be held in an open, community-based setting such as a community centre, village hall or sports hall.
Depending on your individual needs, there will be opportunities for review by different members of the musculoskeletal (MSK) team including physiotherapists, advanced practice physiotherapists and therapy assistants.
There will also be other community partners present who can offer advice and guidance on things like weight management, employment support, mental health support and physical activity.
All of these factors can impact your MSK condition and symptoms. The idea is to bring all of these services together under one roof to support you in a holistic, personalised way.
You will start by having a one-to-one conversation with an advanced physiotherapy practitioner giving you an opportunity to discuss your reasons for seeking support with a particular focus on what matters to you. A physical assessment with the advanced physiotherapy practitioner may be required. Following the assessment if additional investigations are required our advanced physiotherapy practitioners can arrange these for you. You will then have an opportunity to explore other areas of the event.
You will be given a patient passport to complete when you arrive. This will be completed by both yourself and some of the staff you speak to on the day. This will be handed in before you leave and then scanned into your medical record. You will also have a document to write down advice and information relevant to helping you manage your condition, which will also include information on the community partners.
How long will the appointment last?
One of the benefits of a community appointment day is that there is no fixed time for your appointment. You will be given an approximate arrival time, however if you need to arrive a little earlier or later than this you can. You will then have the opportunity to stay for as long as you need to. Typically, people spend between 45 minutes to 2 hours at the event.
What should I wear?
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and supportive footwear suitable for movement or assessment.
What if I need a private space for my assessment?
We will be able to provide a private assessment space if this is required.
What will happen after my appointment?
We hope that by attending the day, you will leave with the confidence and knowledge of how best to manage your condition. If additional investigations are required or a follow up is deemed necessary then you will be followed up in a routine Orthopaedic CATS clinic. This will be discussed with you on the day so you fully understand the next steps before you leave.
Will it be busy?
There will be a large number of people attending throughout the day so it may be busy and there will be some noise. If you have accessibility or sensory needs, please contact us to discuss whether the day is best suited to your needs or if there is anything we can do to help you access it. We will have a quieter space available on the day should it be needed.
What if I do not want to attend?
You can opt out of this opportunity, you will stay on the waiting list and and we will offer you an appointment in the next available Orthopaedic CATS clinic when you reach the top of the list.
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