Physiotherapists work in all areas of health care and our role in the Hospice is to enhance a patient's quality of life. There are many facets to this such as rehabilitation, pain relief, chest care or provision of aids and appliances. Not all patients who attend the Hospice have a cancer diagnosis and we also have a significant role in helping people to cope with other serious illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease, Heart, Kidney or Respiratory Failure.

Each patient is assessed individually and then we will agree on a plan of treatment. This may include exercises to improve mobility or chest physiotherapy to manage symptoms such as breathlessness. Fatigue is a common problem encountered by patients either during or after treatment and we can advise on the best way to cope with this.

At Willow Wood we work closely with other members of the team to alleviate pain. This can involve gentle exercise or movements of joints, use of heat or cold therapy, TENS machines or if appropriate hydrotherapy.

We are very fortunate to have our own hydrotherapy pool at the Hospice. The buoyancy and warmth of the water make it an excellent medium for reducing joint stiffness, easing muscle ache, for strengthening and for promoting relaxation. This is also a good opportunity to talk about problems of body image where a person's appearance may have changed due to their illness or as a consequence of the treatment, and to offer emotional and psychological support. Hydrotherapy can also be beneficial in helping to reduce lymphoedema (swelling) as part of the overall management of the condition. We offer a Lymphoedema Out-Patients Clinic in conjunction with our NHS colleagues and advise on management of the condition within the Hospice.

Patients who do not need to come to In-Patients or Day Hospice can be treated as out-patients for on-going management of their condition or for problems such as scarring which restricts movement after major surgery or radiotherapy.

We have close links with our NHS colleagues in the Community Services and the Wheelchair Clinic and can refer patients on to them very easily if necessary.

Patients can be referred for physiotherapy by their GP or any health care professional.