Physiotherapy Department

What is Physiotherapy? Physiotherapy is a health care profession with an emphasis on the use of physical approaches for the promotion of health and the prevention, treatment and management of disease and disability. It is the fourth largest healthcare profession in the world and addresses problems with movement, dysfunction and pain. These can arise from musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, and chronic disability conditions, or from mental illness and intellectual impairment.


Physiotherapy Department

The physiotherapy department in NGH strives to provide an in-patient and out-patient service that is based on high standards of care and quality.

The department provides physiotherapy services to Naas General Hospital and to the General Practitioners in the Kildare/West Wicklow area. GP who are signed up to the Primary Care Teams (PCT) refer their patients directly to the Community physiotherapy Service, St Marys, Craddockstown Road.

The physiotherapy team in Naas General Hospital comprises of a Physiotherapy Manager, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Senior Physiotherapists, a Practice Tutor, Basic Grade Physiotherapists, a Physiotherapy Assistant, a Physiotherapy Attendant and clerical officers.

Clinical Specialist and senior physiotherapists oversee the services for each of the specialties. Staff physiotherapists work on six monthly rotations in each of the areas.

Staff work closely with other Health and Social Care Professionals, medical and nursing staff. Goals are achieved through comprehensive assessment with individualised treatment combining education, continuous support, home exercise programmes and advice, using knowledge from our extensive scientific background of human anatomy and physiology to provide optimum quality patient care. There is a strong commitment to the philosophy of multidisciplinary work.

*** As of 30th September 2018 only Physiotherapists registered with Coru (www.coru.ie) can work in Irish Hospitals. A Chartered Physiotherapist is a Physiotherapist who is Coru registered and also a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP www.iscp.ie). Chartered

Location: 

Ground floor Old Hospital building,

Hours of service: 

Monday to Friday, 08:30hrs­– 17:00hrs

Phone: 

+353 45 849942 (answering machine out of hours)

Service Provision

Physiotherapy Students

The physiotherapy department has strong links with UCD: our staff facilitate clinical placements for undergraduate UCD physiotherapy students throughout the academic year. There is 1 Practice Tutor on site who coordinates these placements. The department occasionally facilitate placements from other national and international universities. As a teaching hospital a service-user may be treated by a student, but permission will be sought in advance and the student will be supervised by a Practice Tutor/Educator.

Services Provided:

The physiotherapy department offers a comprehensive range of treatments within its outpatient department and for patients who are in patients within the hospital.

Outpatient Services

OPD Physio Dept Musculoskeletal:

Assessment, education and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders, referred from GP or public Orthopaedic Consultant, for individual treatment sessions or in a group (e.g. Exercise classes).The Physiotherapy OPD is located in the old hospital.

Orthopaedic Clinics:

Assessment, advice and exercises provided to patients at clinic following a fracture (broken bone) or other trauma. Patients can be reviewed at the relevant consultant’s weekly clinic or referred to other physiotherapy services when necessary.

Rheumatology:

Naas General Hospital provides a physiotherapy service for anyone diagnosed with an inflammatory arthritis or non-inflammatory rheumatological condition. A senior physiotherapist forms part of the rheumatology multi-disciplinary team that coordinates a comprehensive package of care to promote health and function. Their focus is on the prevention, treatment and management of disease and disability. Following a thorough assessment, individualised treatment plans are implemented which combine education, manual therapy, home exercise programmes, advice and support, as required. Patients of NGH rheumatology team also have access to aquatic physiotherapy in Tallaght University Hospital.

Women’s Health:

Assessment and treatment of women for conditions in pregnancy and beyond. The Physiotherapy department assess and treat:

Antenatal and Postnatal musculoskeletal dysfunctions ( low back pain, pelvic pain, carpal tunnel)

Gynaecology conditions pre and post-operative

Continence and pelvic floor issues

Breast Surgery

Day Hospital

This service provides rehabilitation and medical care to patients over the age of 65 who reside in the community. The physiotherapist is a member of the consultant-led multidisciplinary team that aims to assist each patient to improve their general health, maximise their quality of life and independence while also avoiding preventable hospital admissions.

The physiotherapist assesses older persons with a history of falls and balance problems, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders and a general decline in mobility. Patients are referred by their GP or hospital consultant.

Cardiac Rehabilitation.

A Phase 111 cardiac rehabilitation exercise and education programme is provided for Cardiac patients (Post MI, Cardiac surgery, angioplasty / stents) in Naas General Hospital or Monread Community Centre. A senior physiotherapist works with the MDT team delivering the exercise component and education on exercise for healthy hearts.

Frailty Intervention Team in the Emergency Department

The Frailty Intervention Team is a Multidisciplinary Team with a Senior Physiotherapist, a Senior Occupational Therapist and a Clinical Nurse Manager working as part of the wider Emergency Department team in Naas General Hospital.

The Frailty Intervention Team assess and treat patients over the age of 70 who attend the Emergency Department. They carry out a holistic common assessment to gather information regarding the older person’s functional ability, social circumstances, home environment, cognitive skills, nutrition and communication. This information identifies appropriate onward referrals (to inpatient / outpatient / community services).

The key aim of the Frailty Intervention Team is to improve quality and efficiency of care for the Older Person within the Emergency Department. They aim to improve clinical outcomes, facilitate and increase discharges to home or convalescence, coordinate early intervention, decrease the patient length of hospital stay and minimise future presentations to the Emergency Department for our over 70’s population.

The team also acts as a link to appropriate Primary Care and Out Patient Department Services (i.e. GP, Day Hospital, Convalescence, Public Health Nurses and Integrated Clinical Case Manager) by liaising directly with the PCCC, Integrated Care Team and their hospital colleagues providing handovers and completing referrals for all appropriate patients.

The Frailty Intervention Team Senior Physiotherapist will then go on to assess, treat and provide any necessary advice, exercise programmes or mobility aids to facilitate timely discharge for patients.

Musculoskeletal Clinic

The Musculoskeletal clinic is part of the Orthopaedic and Rheumatology service in Naas General Hospital. When your GP has referred you to a Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic Surgeon, you may be assessed by a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist who works alongside the Consultants. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist has extensive knowledge and training in orthopaedics, rheumatology and the management of musculoskeletal conditions.

At the Musculoskeletal clinic you will have a comprehensive assessment of your condition. Some people require further tests which are arranged at this clinic and you will be given a diagnosis. Some patients are referred for assessment and treatment with the Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultants if it is required. You may also be referred for physiotherapy treatment and given information about how to manage your condition.

If you have had tests or scans ordered through this clinic it is your responsibility to contact the hospital in order to arrange a return appointment to receive the results.

For the Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal Clinic Phone: 045843081

For the Rheumatology Musculoskeletal Clinic Phone: 045843132

Trauma Assessment Clinic (TAC):

The Trauma Assessment Clinic is a new service being offered at Naas General Hospital. This service is already available at many other hospitals in Ireland. It is a service that aims to look after bone injuries that just need time to heal.

If you have injured yourself and think you may have broken a bone, you will need to attend the Emergency Department. You will then be assessed and treated by the Emergency Department staff who may refer you to the Trauma Assessment Clinic (TAC).

This is a virtual clinic and patients do not need to attend. 

The TAC is managed by the Orthopaedic Consultants and Specialised Physiotherapists.

They will review your notes and your X-ray and will decide on an appropriate treatment plan for you and your injury. You will then be contacted, by telephone, within 2-3 days, by the Physiotherapist who will inform you of your treatment plan.

This will likely be one of the following;

  1. You will be given advice on how to manage your injury. You will be discharged with the option to call back anytime for further advice or an appointment.

  1. You will be asked to attend the Fracture Clinic in person and you will be given a time and date to attend this clinic at the Outpatients Department of the Hospital.

  1. You will be asked to attend an appointment with a specialist physiotherapist in the hospital to review your injury. You will receive a time and date for this appointment.

The TAC reduces the number of patients attending the Orthopaedic outpatients. It saves you time and unnecessary travel. It gives the staff more time to focus on sicker patients.

In this time of COVID it also helps us minimise the spread of infection

More information can be found at https://www.orthotac.ie


Inpatient Services

In patient rehabilitation:

In patient Rehabilitation is provided for patients presenting with a variety of general medical problem which may cause decreased mobility and independence. The aim of treatment is to return the patient to optimal physical function through individual exercise programmes (to be continued at home) and appropriate mobility programmes. This may involve the prescription of mobility aids as deemed necessary by the physiotherapist.

Neurology In patients:

The neurology inpatient service provides assessment and treatment to patients who are referred by the medical teams with new or existing neurological disorders that may have caused a decrease in their independence and/or mobility. Patients receive specialised rehabilitation on the wards or in the gym, based on their needs. The aim of physiotherapy treatment is to maximize a patient’s physical function through patient specific exercise programmes and provision of aids and appliances where necessary. The following are some examples of conditions seen by the inpatient neurology service: Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Motor Neuron Disease, MS, Traumatic Brain Injury and various other neurological conditions which will benefit from rehabilitation

Stroke Unit:

This 10 bedded unit offers specialist rehabilitation to patients following a stroke. Patients are referred by the medical teams, an advance nurse practitioner or stroke nurse. All patients post-acute stroke receive evidence based stroke rehabilitation. Treatment is usually in a stroke gym located close to the ward. The physiotherapists work very closely with all other members of the MDT involved in acute stroke rehabilitation.

Respiratory physiotherapy:

Service provides a service for patients whose respiratory system has been compromised by trauma, surgery or illness across all wards including the Intensive Care Unit and the Coronary Care Unit.

The aims of treatment are:

·            prevention and treatment of post-operative respiratory complications

·            promotion of self-management of respiratory conditions

·            treatment of respiratory infections, exacerbations of COPD etc.

Treatment may involve:

·            education and advice

·            breathing exercises

·            airway clearance techniques

·            breathlessness management

·            positioning (including proning for patients with Covid-19)

·            exercise therapy and inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation

·           mobilisation – including prescription of aids and appliances and early mobilisation in ICU

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access outpatient physiotherapy services?

Patients require a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist in NGH. This can be from their GP or from consultant teams within the hospital. On receipt of your doctor’s letter your referral will be triaged by a senior physiotherapist and prioritised as urgent or routine. Your name will then be placed on our waiting list. Your waiting time can vary from a few days to weeks depending on the nature of your condition.

How will I be contacted with my appointment details?

When your name moves to the top of the waiting list you will receive a text message asking you to make an appointment. You will be facilitated as far as possible with your preference for a morning / afternoon appointment or for a particular day.

Is there parking available?

Pay parking is available for patients on the hospital grounds. When attending for an appointment it is easiest to get to the physiotherapy department by entering the hospital through the old hospital entrance. There are 2 disabled parking spaces located at the door of the Old Hospital entrance.

What do I do when I arrive in the department?

Upon arrival please check in with the receptionist. S/he will direct you to the waiting area where you may take a seat.

Will I be seen on time?

Yes, we work to appointment times so you will be seen at the allotted time. If you have been waiting for ten minutes without an explanation, please make your presence known to the secretary. Should there be a delay we will try to keep you informed.

How long will the appointment last?

The initial assessment will take 30- 45 minutes. Further appointments are generally 30 minutes, but it can vary with certain conditions. You will be asked about your problem and then examined using a variety of tests. You will be provided with an explanation of the assessment, and treatment possibilities will be discussed with you. Follow-up appointments usually take 30 minutes. You will be given a choice of appointment times.

What should I wear?

You will have a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your complaint. The physiotherapist will need to examine your posture and movement and will ask you to expose the affected part of your body. It would be helpful to bring shorts or loose clothing if you are attending with a back, hip or knee problem and a string vest top if attending with a neck or shoulder problem.

Do I need to bring anything else?

Please bring a list of any medication you are taking and a copy of results of any relevant investigations and tests. If you usually need reading glasses please bring them also as you may be asked to complete a questionnaire to help with your rehabilitation.

What you should do if you cannot keep an appointment?

Contact the department at 045 849941/2 as soon as you become aware that you will not be able to keep your appointment. Please give at least 24 hours notice so that we may offer the appointment to someone else.

If you are unable to reschedule your appointment at time of cancellation or miss an appointment without cancelling, please contact the department to re-schedule within the following 10 days or you will be discharged from the physiotherapy service.

If you fail to attend any 2 appointments you will be discharged from the physiotherapy service.

General Information

Continuing Professional Development

Physiotherapy staff ensure their knowledge and skills are in line with evidence based practice through Continuing Professional Development. The Physiotherapy Department places a strong emphasis on encouraging staff to partake in CPD in line with the ISCP recommendations. Regular in-service training, clinical supervision, peer learning, complex patient education sessions, mandatory training schemes and hospital research and education meetings are in place. An education committee meet regularly within the department. Staff are encouraged to attend and present at relevant courses and conferences. A formal appraisal system for therapists is in place, along with opportunities to complete personal development plans.

Useful Links

Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists  www.iscp.ie

Chartered Society of Physiotherapists UK www.csp.org.uk

Services for citizens in general www.oasis.gov.ie

Arthritis Foundation of Ireland www.arthritis-foundation.com

Irish Heart Foundation www.irishheart.ie

Multiple Sclerosis www.ms.society.ie

Headway Ireland www.headwayireland.ie

Volunteer Stroke Scheme www.strokescheme.ie

Spinal Injuries Action Association www.siairl.org

National Council on Aging and Older People www.ncaop.ie

Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland www.alzheimer.ie

Irish Carers Association www.irishcarers.ie

Osteoporosis www.irishosteoporosis.ie

Parkinsons Association of Ireland www.parkinsons.ie

Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association www.imnda.ie

Asthma Society of Ireland www.asthmasociety.ie

Irish pain Society www.irishpainsociety.com

Assist Ireland, Citizens Information Board www.assistireland.ie

COPD Ireland, www.COPD.ie



Ground floor Old Hospital building,
(045) 849 942
(045) 897 201 – fax
Hours of Service
  • Mon-Fri
    8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.