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'Amazing' community physio days cut waiting lists

BBC A physiotherapist is stood on one leg on a yoga mat in a sports hall. A man is stood opposite him, copying his movements.BBC
Hundreds of patients can be helped during one of the new community days

New community physiotherapy sessions in Somerset have seen hundreds of patients treated in a single day.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said waiting lists to see a physiotherapist in the county have been cut by up to 50% thanks to the new initiative.

The community days in Bridgwater and Street have seen physiotherapists team up with organisations which help with movement and fitness - including local gyms and charities.

Penny Frampton, from West Pennard, said she felt "totally sorted" after going to one session in Street.

"It was a fantastic idea having so many physios in one place," she said. "I had a lot of help.

"I was so lucky."

Martin, wearing a shirt and jeans, is stood with his back against a wall. His arms are raised to be almost level with his shoulders with his elbows bent at 90 degrees and his palms in front of him. He is mirroring the pose of a physiotherapist, who is stood in the same position with his back to the camera.
Martin Gardner attended a session for help with his shoulder pain

The sessions are invite-only, with people needing a referral from their GP to attend.

Martin Gardner, a retired electrician from Evercreech, went to a community day in Street to get help with his shoulder.

He said: "The past three months it's been really bad.

"I can't get a full night's sleep, so the team here has promised to help me and they're sure they can do something about it."

A man standing in the middle of the frame, looking at the camera
Consultant physiotherapist Simon Ingram said there is big demand for physiotherapy in Somerset

Simon Ingram, a consultant physiotherapist, has said there is big demand for physiotherapy in Somerset.

He said the scheme was about trying to "do things differently".

"We work with community organisations such as local gyms, Somerset Activity and Sport Partnership and Age UK, to try to bring lots of services under one roof alongside physiotherapy to help people become more active and live better lives," he explained.

Mr Ingram has said about 20% of people in Somerset have a long-term need for physiotherapy, such as back pain or osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease.

In Bridgwater, the trust said waiting lists had been cut by about 50% as a result of the days, with plans for more in Yeovil.

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