Physiotherapy
Welcome to the Barts Health Physiotherapy Service. We offer services to all of our patients located across the Borough of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest and Wanstead and Woodford in Redbridge. Our aim is to make sure patients make the best possible recovery from their ailment.
Our service consists of a group of dedicated, experienced clinicians who make it their aim to get you back to full health. Whether you are off work, unable to compete in your favourite sport or looking for help with day to day activities we are here to help.
The following links will take you to our hospital pages, where we provide physiotherapy services from:
- Chingford Physiotherapy Ainslie Rehabilitation Unit
- Newham University Hospital
- The Royal London Hospital
- Wanstead Hospital
- Whipps Cross University Hospital
Contact physiotherapy
Contact our clinics using the contact details below.
Chingford Physiotherapy
Ainslie Rehabilitation Unit
3 Friars Close
Chingford, E4 6UW
Tel: 020 8524 3071
Email: Wfmsk.community@nhs.net.
Mile End Hospital
Therapies department
Bancroft Road
Mile End
London, E1 4DG
Tel: 0207 377 7872
Email: BHNT.BartsHealthTherapies@nhs.net
Newham Hospital
Newham University Hospital
Pine Therapies, St Andrews Wing
Glen Road, Plaistow
London, E13 8SL
Tel: 0207 363 8141
Fax: 0207 363 8164
Email: therapyoutpatients.newham@bartshealth.nhs.uk
The Royal London Hospital
Therapy outpatients
2nd Floor, South Tower
Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel
London, E1 1BB
Tel: 020 7377 7872
Fax: 020 8223 8808
Email: BHNT.BartsHealthTherapies@nhs.net
Wanstead Hospital
Makepeace Road
Hermon Hill
Wanstead, E11 1PA (E11 1UU for satellite navigation use)
Tel: 020 8989 2368
Email: Wfmsk.community@nhs.net.
Whipps Cross University Hospital
1st Floor Outpatients
Whipps Cross Road
Leytonstone, E11 1NR
Tel: 0207 480 4628
Email: Wfmsk.community@nhs.net.
Why choose us
Our physiotherapists possess excellent assessment and treatment skills designed to get you moving and feeling better.
The team consists of highly skilled, specialised physiotherapists. The physiotherapists are trained in manual therapy (hands on treatment), exercise rehabilitation and hydrotherapy.
Many of our physiotherapists have completed post-graduate and/or Masters level qualifications. Our aim is to provide the best quality of care to you according to the latest research.
We can provide rehabilitation in gym environments to get you back to fill fitness, regardless of your choice of sport or hobby. Many of our Physios have worked with elite-level sports such as football, rugby and with various Olympic teams. We also:
- have excellent links with the orthopaedic teams, with physiotherapists working alongside consultant in clinic;
- have research links with Queen Mary University of London, with a few members of Barts Health having published important research;
- hold late evening/early morning appointments;
- and commitment to service improvement, audits, research and evidenced based practice.
For patients
We accept referrals from general practitioners (GPs) within the localities and consultants, podiatrists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and midwives who work for the Trust (this will vary between sites). Referrals are also accepted from occupational health for staff working for Barts Health.
If you feel you require physiotherapy then please speak to your GP or the health care professional you are currently seeing. They will refer you to your nearest physiotherapy department.
We specialise in treating:
- Back/neck/spinal pain
- Upper and Lower limb joint pain
- Sports injuries
- Work related pain
- Following elective or trauma surgery
- Rheumatological conditions
Our team has a wealth of experience and expert knowledge of a variety of treatment skills including:
- Manual therapy (Hands on treatment including specific joint mobilisation and manipulation)
- individual advice and education
- exercise rehabilitation (individually and in a group setting)
- Pilates
- Hydrotherapy
- Electrotherapy
- Strapping and Taping
Your appointment
Once we have received your referral it will be prioritised as urgent or routine by one of our physiotherapists. You will then receive a letter in the post asking you to book/come to an appointment at your local physiotherapy department. The department is open Monday to Friday. Appointments are available early morning to late evening but will vary according to the hospital site.
Please arrive on time and inform staff immediately if you require any help. If you are over 10 minutes late, you may not be seen. Appointments run to time (except in unforeseen circumstances).
Bring essential items to help your appointment run smoothly, such as reading glasses if necessary, shorts, vest top and a list of tablets and relevant scans.
It is important to attend all appointments given, if you fail to attend it may result in your treatment being affected and/or you may be discharged from physiotherapy. If you are unable to attend, or no longer need the appointment, please contact the department 24 hours before the appointment, so it can be altered and be re-issued to someone else.
Your assessment
On the first attendance you will be clinically assessed by one of the physiotherapists in the department who will be able to inform you if physiotherapy can be of benefit to you. Students may be involved in your care but are supervised at all times. You will be asked about your medical history, lifestyle and your symptoms. Your joints, muscles and nerves may be examined and findings will be discussed. This may involve undressing the area involved to assess it fully. Your privacy and dignity will be respected at all times. If physiotherapy is appropriate the therapist will discuss with you the best treatment options for you to gain the maximum benefit.
Please see our additional information and other useful links page for a list of helpful exercise leaflets and websites.
Our physiotherapy information leaflets can be found in the patient information leaflet A-Z, under ‘P’ for Physiotherapy.
Women's Health Physiotherapy (based at Whipps Cross Hospital)
Supplement to accompany perineal tear class
Supplement to accompany antenatal health class
Useful videos
We have produced exercise videos for our YouTube channel so that you can make sure that you're doing them correctly at home. You can view them by clicking the links below:
- Exercise 001 - Double leg heel raise off a step
- Exercise 002 - Single leg heel raise off a step
- Exercise 003 - Single leg squat
- Exercise 004 - Sit to stand
- Exercise 005 - Squat
- Exercise 006 - Upper calf stretch
- Exercise 007 - Bridge exercise
- Exercise 008 - Upper thigh or hip flexor stretch
- Exercise 009 - Deadlift exercise
- Exercise 010 - Double leg heel raise exercise
- Exercise 011 - Hamstring stretch
- Exercise 012 - Lower calf stretch
- Exercise 013 - Lunge exercise
- Exercise 014 - Side lying leg lift
- Exercise 015 - Single leg bridge exercise
- Exercise 016 - Single leg heel raise exercise
- Exercise 017 - Static double leg heel raise
There are also videos that will provide you with revision on what was discussed and the reason for the persistent pain.
- Understanding pain: Brainman chooses - this video gives a summary about understanding your pain.
If you have any questions about the content of these videos, then please feel free to discuss this with your physiotherapist when you next see them.
For clinicians
The Musculoskeletal Outpatients Service provides musculoskeletal assessment for patients over 16 years old.
We accept paper referrals at all sites which can either be posted or faxed to the address/number on our contact us page. Referrals can be made through Choose and Book for patients at Whipps Cross and Wanstead Hospital.
Areas for referral are:
- Mile End/ The Royal London: E1, E2, E3 and E14.
- Wanstead/Chingford/Whipps Cross E4, E10, E11, E17, E18, IG2 and IG8
- Newham: E6, E7, E12, E13, E15, E16, E20
If you would like to discuss a specific patient’s appointment please contact the relevant site.
Patients will either be contacted for an appointment or sent a letter with an allocated time and date. They can contact us to re-arrange if necessary.
The physiotherapists will complete a full assessment of the patient and will provide the most appropriate advice, education and treatment, in line with the current evidence based research. If physiotherapy is not appropriate or is not benefitting the patient, the physiotherapist will provide a discharge letter for you with the key information and any recommendations.