Improvements see patients receiving rehabilitation in the community sooner

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Community Rehabilitation team have made improvements to the way the service works which have helped to reduce the number of patients waiting for routine physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

This improvement has been possible thanks to a service redesign and collaboration with colleagues across the Trust, leading to a better experience for patients.

The Community Rehabilitation team used our improvement methodology, Improving Together, to make a series of changes to the way they work. This included introducing telephone reviews for patients waiting more than a year offering advice on better managing their condition at home and reviewing patient letters. 

These changes are felt directly by our patients, including Ross – who was referred to the Community Rehabilitation team following a lengthy hospital stay.

Ross was given a series of exercises to complete to improve his balance, mobility, and stability. Following his treatment, he wrote to the Trust praising the care he received.

Ross has been sharing his story, in a special video which you can watch below: