What should I do whilst waiting for
my appointment?
While you are waiting to come it helps to:
•
Keep active
•
Use pain killers if you need them
•
Keep working
Can I get an earlier appointment?
The date of your appointment will reflect
the current waiting list. It is hospital policy
for patients to be seen in turn. If you are
able to attend at short notice, then we do
have a cancellation list. Contact Mary
Knott for more details.
What should I bring with me?
•
•
•
•
•
Answering your questions
your appointment letter.
your questionnaires (completed)
a list of your medication.
a list of any questions you want to
ask.
glasses if you use them
You have been selected as a possible candidate to attend one of our Pain Rehabilitation Programme.
This leaflet hopes to answer some of your
most frequent queries and questions.
What should I wear?
•
Some comfortable flat shoes to use whilst
doing your fitness tests. Otherwise what
ever you like.
•
Useful reading
Manage Your Pain
Author: Michael Nicholas et al
ISBN: 0285636790
Get Back Active ProgrammeMon - Weds. 9.15 - 3.30 for 3 weeks or
6 sessions on a Monday evening
4 - 7pm
Balanced Life ProgrammeWeds. - Fri (Weds. 10.00 - 2.30 ) for 3
weeks
Administrator:
Mary Knott
01865 738081
Monday—Friday
If you take these details to any large
bookshop they will be able to get the book
for you.
www.noc.nhs.uk
Information for Patients
What is rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation essentially means assisting
people to increase or return to activities
that they want or need to do in daily life.
We have a range of rehabilitation
programmes which are:
•
•
•
•
of different levels of activity
on different days/times
of different durations
of varying relevance to work
People who live with pain manage to keep
active in different ways. Rehabilitation will
help you to understand persisting pain and
to introduce a manageable exercise
programme. It will also help you to plan
how to return to activities that you have
What happens at the initial visit
When you arrive, let the physiotherapy
receptionist know.
Following this the physiotherapist will
introduce themselves, collect your
questionnaires and ask you to fill in a form
about your pain and medication.
You will then have a consultation with the
physiotherapist
Finally you will be asked to do a few gentle
activities to give us an idea of your current
level of activity.
What help will I be offered?
Can I bring someone with me?
After the consultation we will understand
more about your problems and the impact
that they are having on your life. Together,
you and the physiotherapist will consider the
options below, and decide on the best way
forward.
We are very happy for you to bring
someone with you. Some people find that
it helps them to remember what was said.
Options may be to:
•
•
•
•
give advice and reassurance
attend a rehabilitation programme
arrange a medication review
arrange for you to see a pain psychologist.
Why use forms?
The information from the forms is used in
your consultation and helps with
•
•
treatment planning
measuring the progress that you
make.
Do you need an interpreter?
The hospital has an interpreter service
available. Contact Mary Knott to arrange
this (details overleaf)
What should I do if I don’t think I
need to come to hospital ?
Pain often improves with time. If this
happens and you no longer need to come,
then we would appreciate it if you cancel
your appointment. Doing so will help other
patients who are on the waiting list get
here a bit quicker.
At times, we use the information from the
forms to monitor and develop the service.
How long will my appointment take?
You will be in the hospital for
approximately
1 hour.
We try to run to time, but occasionally
clinic runs late due to unforeseen
circumstances. We will keep you
informed.
What should I do If my pain is getting
worse before my appointment?
Unfortunately pain goes through good and
bad spells. If you are concerned about
your pain then you should see your GP and
together review the situation and the
effectiveness of your medication.