A LONG wait for vital physiotherapy in Haslemere was the case study cited in a high-profile call on the Government’s Health Select Committee to launch an inquiry into the provision of community-based rehabilitation services.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), Arthritis Research UK and the Stroke Association, joined together to warn that too often, patients leaving hospital are unable to access high-quality rehabilitation services to continue their recovery and regain their independence, with devastating consequences for some.

The CSP warning coincided with the release of a new short film, called ‘Rehab Matters’, which contrasts the experiences of a patient who receives physiotherapy after leaving hospital with one who misses out.

At the CSP campaign launch, Haslemere resident Iona Price backed the call for an inquiry, citing her late mother Alice, who broke her hip in her 80s, and had to wait 12 weeks for community rehabilitation.

“My mother broke her hip in 2012 and sadly died in 2013,” Iona told The Herald.

“She was resident at Redcot care home at the time of the fracture, but sadly was unable to return there after surgery, as her mobility was so severely limited. We moved her to Chestnut View, where she was happy and they cared for her well, for what proved to be her final eight months.

“I was galvanised into becoming a patient advocate after the experience and joined the Royal College of Physician’s Patient and Carer network, which in turn led me to become a member of the National Hip Fracture audit advisory team. Sadly my mother’s case is far from unique but we are working hard to highlight this national problem.”

In October 2016, The Herald reported Hindhead resident Marianne O’Brien was hard hit by a 16-week wait for physiotherapy after becoming wheelchair-bound.

This week, community services provider Virgin Care said waiting times had improved from an average 14 weeks to nine weeks, since October last year.

A spokesman said: “Like similar services across the country, demand for the community rehabilitation team is growing, but we work to ensure patients are supported throughout. We now offer an appointment in the future, rather than a place on waiting list when they are referred to us, and continue to work as a team to ensure patients have the support they need.”