Our Therapy service

We are an integrated Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service. Both professions offer specialist assessment and treatment for a wide range of problems working with people to promote their own health and wellbeing. They help people to return to everyday life following illness or injury.

All Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, the regulatory body for Allied Health Professionals. They are supported by a team of Therapy Support Workers and administrative staff.

Outpatient services

Following referral, we provide assessment and intervention to outpatients requiring hand therapy and support after a head injury.

Inpatient services

We provide support to people who have:

• trauma, including head injury
• had elective orthopaedic surgery, such as hip replacement
• a medical condition
• the need for palliative care
• a chronic progressive neurological condition
• had a stroke
• a range of diagnoses with complex needs
• been admitted for a surgical procedure.

If you're waiting for a hip operation

If you are on the waiting list for a hip replacement you may be seen by the Occupational Therapy team shortly before the date of your operation.

We may invite you to an education group to discuss the precautions you should take after your operation for a 12 week period and to advise on any equipment or changes in your home that may help you to maintain your independence. All NHS patients awaiting a total hip replacement are encouraged to attend.

Returning equipment

Equipment issued by the Therapy Service that is no longer needed must be returned to the Community Equipment Service. Please do not return used equipment, including walking aids, to our hospital Therapy departments as we cannot accept them due to infection control procedures and a lack of storage space.

Purchasing equipment

Please see this list of retailers who sell equipment that may help you manage daily activities more easily at home.

Work experience

The Therapy Service can offer 1 day work experience to those students who meet the criteria: you must be a resident of Gloucestershire and attend school/college in Gloucestershire

Students aged 16 and over taking A level examinations at the time of placement and aiming for a career in occupational therapy, alternatively a mature student with the relevant qualifications. For your information, 4 A levels are required for entry into occupational therapy studies; please refer to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy website

Anyone interested in a career in occupational, therapy are considered for 1 day work experience at either Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or Cheltenham General Hospital. We do, however, receive a large number of requests and we are limited in the number of placements that we can offer.

Please follow the link below to apply for Occupational Therapy work experience at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or Cheltenham General Hospital:

• Gloucestershire Royal Hospital application form: please complete and email to ghn-tr.ohadvisoryinbox@nhs.net
• Cheltenham General Hospital application form: please complete and email to ghn-tr.ohadvisoryinbox@nhs.net

Undergraduate education

If you are a student on a recognised UK degree course in Occupational Therapy, we may be able to support you on a clinical placement.

All years are considered, but the offer of placements is dependent on the staffing resources needed to support your development and learning.

Student placements are mainly offered as a priority to OT students from the University of West of England, Bristol. However, placements for students on other OT degree courses may be considered on request.

Job vacancies

All our job vacancies are advertised on the JNHS Jobs website. If you are interested in a vacancy and would like to visit us or have a chat, please get in touch.

Contact us

Should you need to contact the OT team during your stay, they are available Monday to Friday 8am and 4.30pm.

You can reach Occupational Therapy by calling:

• Cheltenham General Hospital: 0300 422 3040 for outpatients
• Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals: 0300 422 8527 for outpatients
• Gloucestershire Royal Hospital/Cheltenham General: 0300 422 8586 for inpatients
  

Your call may be directed to an answer phone, but please be assured we will call you back as soon as possible if you leave your name and phone number.

For Occupational Therapy at home, please contact the Social Services Adult Helpdesk