Physiotherapy

The department is divided into more than ten areas of specialisation, each headed by a senior physiotherapist. These include but are not limited to;

• Cardiorespiratory
• Orthopaedics
• Rheumatology
• Care of the elderly
• Neurology
• Women’s health
• Breast care and lymphoedema
• Burns and plastic surgery
• Sickle cell anaemia
• Prehabilitation
• Stroke
• General/ Acute Medical
• Lymphoedema

Covid-19

• Please wear a mask upon entering the Physiotherapy Department and during the entirety of your appointment.
• In order to minimise transmission of Covid-19 you will be asked by a member of our clerical team to complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire.
• Should you wish to have a virtual appointment as opposed to a face-to-face appointment this can be arranged.
• Just ask a member of our clerical team or your physiotherapist. Please note you will need access to the internet, and a smart device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop to facilitate this.

• Please make sure to check in at reception for all your appointments.
• Please attend on time as patients are seen on a timetabled basis. If you are late, we may not be able to see you, as this can cause delays for patients who have appointments after you.
• Your physiotherapy appointment will generally be 30-40 minutes
• The physiotherapist may carry out a physical examination, so wear suitable underwear. It can be helpful to bring shorts or loose clothing.
• Please bring a list with you of any medicines you may be taking.

Please note our cancellation / non-attendance policy

• If you fail to attend your first appointment, you will be automatically discharged.
• If you cancel an appointment or fail to attend for your appointment during your treatment you must contact us for a new appointment within two weeks or you will be discharged.
• If you are discharged from physiotherapy, another referral will be required if you need further physiotherapy.
• Cancellation of three consecutive appointments will lead to discharge from our service.

Patients require a doctor's referral from a consultant team within the hospital to see a physiotherapist in the hospital. Referrals are clinically prioritised as either urgent or routine based on the information provided in the referral.

The Physiotherapy Department has strong links with Trinity College Dublin with our staff supervising undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy students on practice placements and delivering lectures on the undergraduate academic programme in the Trinity School of Physiotherapy. There are three on-site Trinity practice tutors within the department.

Physiotherapy Open Day
Transition year, fifth and sixth-year secondary school students are invited to attend our annual Physiotherapy Open Day.

Our next open day takes place in October 2021. More information will be available closer to this time.

SJH Physiotherapy - Virtual Open Day videos

Transition Year Work Experience
Unfortunately the Physiotherapy Department at St James’s Hospital is not in a position to offer any transition year work placements at present. It is recommended that those interested in a career in physiotherapy also visit the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists website.

The following links also provide useful information about what a career in physiotherapy entails - watch our Physiotherapists Emer O'Shea and Sarah Moore talk about their work in the hospital.

Introduction to the Undergraduate Degree in Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin

A typical day for a physiotherapist in St James’s Hospital

We value your feedback

Every year in physiotherapy we see 20,000 new patients and provide 100,000 treatments. We value all patient feedback and other service users feedback greatly.

If you have attended the Physiotherapy Department as an outpatient and wish to give us feedback on your experience, please email physioreception@stjames.ie for feedback form. 

Please find below some of our Emergency Department physiotherapy patient information leaflets;

Managing acute knee injuries 

Managing acute ankle injuries

Managing acute back pain

Managing acute neck pain

Easy Breathing Booklet

Emergency Department Physiotherapy Appointment Information

Early Supported Discharge (ESD) for stroke

Exercise Advice While Cocooning

Falls Prevention Exercises and Information

Flexor Tendon Exercise Sheet

Flexor Tendon Exercise Sheet 2

Physiotherapy DIEP Reconstruction

Physiotherapy Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction

Rib Fracture Advice