Physiotherapists work closely with patients, their carers and other healthcare professionals as interdisciplinary team members. The role of th physiotherapist ranges from direct clinical, therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions to health promotion, patient and carer education and to participating in healthcare development. Physiotherapists treat and manage patients with many varied conditions, for e.g. stroke, amputations, respiratory disease, mental health problems, cancer, after fractures and hip and knee replacement surgery and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Our Vision
Physiotherapy enables and empowers the person to achieve a healthier life through movement, physical means and education.
Our Mission
To provide an integrated person centred quality physiotherapy service across the lifespan.
Description
Within the National Health Service, physiotherapy services are provided and delivered in a number of facilities and in the community as follows:
- Mater Dei Hospital – acute inpatient care for paediatrics and adults, inpatient and outpatient services, hand therapy, breast care service and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Rehabilitation Hospital Karin Grech – inpatient (geriatrics and rehabilitation) and outpatient services, day hospital, outpatient physiotherapy department – musculoskeletal, amputee rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation and hydrotherapy.
- St Vincent De Paule Residence – inpatient and outpatient services, hub for services in the community homes and community for older adults.
- Mount Carmel Hospital – inpatient services
- Sir Paul Boffa Hospital – inpatient and outpatient services and lymphoedema service.
- Paediatric Physiotherapy Services – neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular outpatient services and a hub for services to main stream schools and schools for children with special needs.
- Paola, Cospicua, Floriana, Mosta, Qormi and B’kara Health Centres – musculoskeletal and GP access service.
- Gozo General Hospital – all services, inpatient and outpatient
- Community and outreach physiotherapy services are also available.
Procedure
| |
Method |
|
| Physiotherapy Health Centres |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
|
| SVPR Physiotherapy Services O/P (all conditions) |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
For
Clients who are over 60 years of age |
| SAMOC Physiotherapy O/P |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
|
| COMM Care |
Contact 22589393 or
commcare@gov.mt |
Strictly house
bound cases |
| RHKG Amputee Rehabilitation |
Direct Ticket
of Referral |
|
| RHKG Elderly Rehabilitation Day Hospital |
Ticket
of referral to Geriatrician |
|
| RHKG Neuro O/P |
Referral
by Consultant |
|
| RHKG MSK O/P |
Referral
by Consultant |
|
| RHKG O/P |
Referral
by Consultant |
|
| MDH Paediatrics O/P |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
|
| MDH Paediatrics MSK |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
|
| MDH Cardiac Rehabilitation |
Referral
by Consultant |
|
| MDH Pulmonary Rehabilitation |
Referral
by Respiratory Consultants |
|
| MDH Women's Health |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
Except
for Clients who have AnoRectal Dysfunction issues |
| MDH Hands O/P |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
|
| CDAU Paediatrics / MDH |
Direct
Ticket of referral for Assessment by IDT |
|
| GGH O/P |
Direct
Ticket of Referral |
|
Eligibility
All Maltese citizens and foreigners holding a residency permit can be referred to the physiotherapy services within the National Health Service.
Required Documents
A referral from a medical practitioner from within the National Health Service is required. If the patient is referred for physiotherapy in primary health care, i.e. to the Health Centres, the Health Centre doctor or the patient’s family doctor can make the referral.
Back Office Process
- Referrals will be managed by the department or clinic where the physiotherapy is to be carried out.
- As a general rule, inpatient referrals will be managed on the same day of referral or the next working day if a referral is made outside the normal working hours. Mater Dei Hospital provides an out of hours service to manage requests for urgent referrals.
- Out- Patient Physiotherapy departments and clinics across the Service receive referrals from specialist outpatient clinics, from the inpatient wards (as follow-ups) and directly from family practitioners (musculoskeletal conditions are referred directly to health centres).
- Referrals from Mater Dei outpatient clinics are received at the Physiotherapy Department at Mater Dei Hospital. Health Centre and GP referrals are received at the Health Centre in the patient’s catchment area.
- Appointments for outpatient physiotherapy are made by telephone or through the post. When necessary, transport services are scheduled for the patient.
- When a patient is seen for the first time, a full assessment is carried out so that together with the patient, the physiotherapist will make a plan of treatment and rehabilitation. For outpatients, all patient and treatment details are recorded in the Physiotherapy notes.
- For inpatients, physiotherapists document the details of each patient contact and intervention/session in the patients’ records or medical file.
- The nature, frequency, and intensity of physiotherapy sessions will reflect the needs of the individual patients referred for physiotherapy.
Frequently asked questions
Question: When I have my appointment for physiotherapy, will I be given a specific appointment time?
Answer: Yes. you will be given an individual appointment time for your treatment session.
Question: Will I be seen by the same physiotherapist every time I come for treatment?
Answer: Yes, unless something crops up, e.g. your physiotherapist is unwell, and another physiotherapist is covering his or her patients.
Question: How often will I need to come for treatment?
Answer: The frequency of your treatment sessions and the overall duration of your treatment episode will depend on your condition and your response to treatment.
Question: Will I need any special preparations before I come to physiotherapy?
Answer: We suggest that you come with appropriate clothing to facilitate your treatment with ease and dignity, e.g. if you have a lower limb problem, a pair of shorts would be appropriate. If you are attending for hydrotherapy you will advised regarding what you should bring with you prior to attending.
Downloads
Informative Leaflet