The healthcare service may be a free “point of call”, but what is the real cost of waiting for free physiotherapy?
Recently at the Paul Gough Physio Rooms clinic, we’ve been getting asked many questions about private physiotherapy and the benefits of choosing this over the free healthcare service available in the UK.
The benefits of choosing private physiotherapy are endless, with faster treatment and customer service being the main perks that people often look for.
In this blog, we’re going to be debunking the myths on private healthcare and look at how it can be one of the best decisions you make regarding your health.
We really do sympathize with the Government and the NHS as they continue to deal with the current situation, but we can’t emphasise the importance of seeking out the correct diagnosis and treatment. Don’t allow the pandemic to delay your physio treatment, and let an injury or pain you are experiencing turn into something more serious!
No wait times…
One of the things we hear the most is that patients are fed up with the 16-week minimum waiting periods that are currently overwhelming our healthcare service, with one of our patients even waiting for a horrific 10-months to be seen by them. The waiting list for the NHS is at a 14-year record high with over 4.7 million people waiting for essential treatments: too long to let your health deteriorate and push life-limiting pain to one side.
At the Paul Gough Physio Rooms clinic, a patient told us she waited 10 months for a physio appointment with the healthcare service. She contacted us as she had had enough of her life being put on hold due to the pain, and she got booked in for treatment the following week. This is just one reason why you should choose private physiotherapy over the free health service.
Recently, we hired another full-time physiotherapist, as well as another therapist, so we were able to open up further appointments and help even more patients, as more people put their faith in private practices.
Fast and accurate diagnosis…
We give you an accurate diagnosis during your assessment session with physio.
All our physiotherapists are highly experienced, so you know you’re in the best care. You are able to ask our team any questions about your pain and be met with an honest and accurate answer. We offer tailored treatment plans that are unique to each patient, so you’re not getting the ‘bog-standard’ help… you’re more than just a patient number to us.
Hands-on treatment…
Apparently, the free healthcare service currently offers limited/no hands-on treatment, which can be detrimental to the improvement of your injury. After waiting at least 16-weeks, most of the appointments available through the healthcare service are virtual appointments, so after all that time waiting you might not even meet your physiotherapist face-to-face or receive any hands-on treatment.
Delays with diagnosis/assessments and treatment can cause long-term problems for a generation – with many told to take painkillers to help deal with the pain until they can be seen.
Face-to-face treatment at a private clinic allows your physiotherapist to see in detail the issues that you’re having and we provide additional exercises that can benefit you further. Seeing your physio face-to-face also allows you to build a relationship and trust.
We were amazed to hear in the clinic recently, that a woman suffering from a suspected frozen shoulder was advised by 111 to visit her local pharmacist for an assessment… This is definitely not the job of a pharmacist.
CLICK HERE to read our warning about long-term injuries on Gazette Live
Get fixed fast…
Our physiotherapists will always offer you with a detailed treatment plan that they’ve designed to give you the best possible outcome. The clinic is never restricted to a number of sessions or how often we can see you, which is a massive benefit when choosing private healthcare.
Our treatment is often completed before the healthcare service even gets back to you to make that very first phone call, which is something that we pride ourselves on. One of our patients told us this past week that when they asked the NHS how long it would take for her appointment, the reply was ‘how long is a piece of string?’ As shocked as we were, we were not surprised due to the overwhelming waitlist.
First-class service…
We are so proud of the service we provide and the level of customer service that every single patient that visits us is met with.
Along with this, we’re easier to contact with our phone lines open every weekday, so we’re on hand whenever you need to speak to us. Choosing to put your health first can be the first step in getting back to a pain-free life in a shorter timeframe.
What happens when you don’t get help FAST?
With the current waiting times, a quick fix injury can easily become a more life-altering injury.
A stiff ankle from walking or exercising can easily develop into onset arthritis and in turn, affect your mobility.
Back pain can lead to long-term issues with your posture and could eventually affect your entire body.
It’s frightening to know that simple injuries can quickly turn into something more serious that could require help for a longer length of time, so make sure that you consider this when thinking about your route of treatment.
We are here for you…
We are busier than ever as more and more people put their faith in private practices.
If you’re in pain and would like to talk to us about getting some help, some specialist advice, or if you are looking for a diagnosis, remember we are always here to help you.
We are safely offering both face-to-face and virtual appointments, as well as FREE taster sessions for anyone that is ‘unsure’ if physio is right for them.
Appointments remain limited and we are experiencing an exceptionally high demand for our physio services since UK restrictions were lifted, so please contact us immediately to avoid a long wait.
If you would like to get one of our limited slots, please click here to complete our enquiry form or CALL us on 01429 866771.
P.S. All of our staff have received their vaccine (read our vaccination blog post here), and we also have a fantastic, new, full-time physiotherapist working across our 4 clinics (read our blog post here all about Shauny).
You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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