Joint working initiative provides top class health and leisure facilities in one location
Joint working initiative provides top class health and leisure facilities in one location
People needing health advice and support in the Salisbury area will now have a fast track to fitness due to a collaboration between Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Health and care.
Wiltshire Council is providing clinic and office space at its Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre for two teams from Wiltshire Health and Care – MSK Physiotherapy and Salisbury City Community Team.
The Outpatient Physiotherapy team at Salisbury had previously been based at Salisbury District Hospital and has changed its location to Five Rivers Leisure Centre which will help provide more integrated care to patients.
Working within a community setting means better access to treatment for patients. Service users will also benefit from excellent gym facilities which will improve the quality of the rehabilitation the team can provide. Additionally, the new base will strengthen relationships with the leisure industry and local exercise referral schemes such as Active Health which will help provide a seamless pathway for patients through physiotherapy with the aim of achieving long-term functional goals.
The Salisbury City Community Team, previously been based at the Central Health Clinic, works closely with Wiltshire Council’s reablement service which provides a short-term service to help people be independent and re-learn skills they may have lost.
Now people needing physiotherapy health advice and support will be able to visit the centre for appointments where part of the treatment could include a session in the gym part of their treatment plan.
Although there is a change of location there will be links with Salisbury District Hospital and Orthopaedics, the Orthopaedic Interface Service and Rheumatology. Services including one to one intervention alongside rehabilitation classes and hydrotherapy will continue.
The move is part of a wider initiative to encourage fitness as a way back to health and wellbeing.
Cllr Simon Jacobs, Cabinet Member for Public Health said: “This is a great initiative and underlines how working together with partners we can provide tangible benefits for those who need help to get back to fitness as part of their recovery plan.
“This close collaboration between ourselves and Wiltshire Health and Care will benefit people who need that support and I’m sure lead to many more great opportunities in the future with top class health support and facilities all in one location.”
Douglas Blair, Managing Director for Wiltshire Health and Care said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Wiltshire Council to provide the Salisbury community with quality healthcare and leisure facilities all in one location.”