Information for professionals

• Please signpost individuals to self-management materials where possible and appropriate. The musculoskeletal pages on the NHS Inform website and the NHS Tayside patient information leaflets are often a good place to start.  The most relevant NHS Tayside (MSK) leaflets have been grouped together here.
• Explain to individuals that physiotherapy is likely to involve a home exercise programme and ask them whether they would be willing to engage with this.
• Ask individuals what they are hoping to achieve through physiotherapy - physiotherapy is less likely to be effective without clear goals.
• Check whether individuals have had physiotherapy in the past. Please avoid referring individuals a second time for physiotherapy for the same complaint if earlier physiotherapy input has proved ineffective. Unfortunately, physiotherapy cannot address all movement limitations or pain complaints.
• If earlier physiotherapy input was effective at the time and the same complaint has returned, ask individuals whether they have tried restarting the exercises that were prescribed by their physiotherapist.  (If there has been a change in an individual's physical abilities or health status, a new physiotherapy referral may be indicated to adapt the exercise programme.)

• Musculoskeletal outpatient appointments: Please use RMS (Referral Management System) or advise your patients/clients to use the self-referral form.
• Home visits: use RMS (Referral Management System) if you have access to this.  Alternatively, use the self-referral form for Angus & Dundee CRT or Perth & Kinross CRT (Community Rehab Team).  Please remember that home visits are generally only available to individuals who cannot, as a result of their condition, attend an outpatient appointment.
• Pulmonary rehab: use the NHS Tayside Pulmonary Rehab Referral Form.

If one of your patients/clients is interested in joining an exercise group which (also) caters for individuals with ill health or a long term condition, please remember that you may be able to refer them to a community-based class, gym or walking group.
   

• Angus: You may be able to refer individuals to Refer2exercise or Be Active, run through Angus Alive.
• Dundee: You may be able to refer individuals to Active for Life (telephone: 01382 432333), the Dundee Healthy Living Initiative or Move More (for individuals with cancer).
• Perth and Kinross: You may be able to refer individuals to Live Active.