The Acute Therapies Team consist of occupational therapy and physiotherapy teams working across a range of acute hospital specialities.
The teams at University College Hospital and University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street provide short-term rehabilitation to acute and chronically ill adults as well as providing quality post-operative rehabilitation services following elective surgical procedures.
The teams cover all wards and will accept referrals for any patients who require assessment and treatment to optimise their function, mobility or condition. This is to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment to aid in their physical recovery and in a safe and effective discharge home.
Address
Acute Therapy Services
University College Hospital
Lower ground floor
235 Euston Road
London NW1 2BU
The Acute Therapy Team is made up of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy support staff working across the emergency department, the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and the Enhanced Care Unit (ECU). We provide a 7-day service, between 8.30am and 6pm.
We provide early assessment and treatment of patients to facilitate a safe and supported return home and avoid admission to hospital where possible. We work closely with social workers and community services to ensure continuity of input when leaving hospital.
Our service encompasses treatment for a broad spectrum of presentations, such as those experiencing falls, vestibular problems, spinal and head injuries, back pain, respiratory issues, trauma and various medical conditions.
In addition, we run a dedicated Head Injury Telephone Follow up clinic once a week. This clinic is designed to support individuals who have presented to our emergency department with a head injury, without evidence of bleeding on imaging. The clinic focuses on monitoring and rehabilitating persistent concussive symptoms, helping these individuals through their return their activities of daily living.
Referrals
We screen AMU and ECU daily to identify patients that would benefit from therapy input. We also attend multi-disciplinary meetings twice daily, where members of the team can request therapy input for their patients.
We take referrals for patients in the emergency department from 8.30am - 6pm via telephone from referring clinicians.
We cover the haematology wards at Grafton Way Building and T16N in the tower.
We assess and treat a range of patients with blood cancers/disorders, including lymphoma, myeloma, leukaemia and sickle cell disease. Patients may have prolonged hospital admissions whilst they undergo treatment which includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplant and CAR-T Therapy.
As a team, we can help to:
- Identify what is important to the individual and work together on appropriate goals
- Optimise independence and quality of life
- Support patients in maintaining mobility and function
- Rehabilitate patients
- Provide advice and education to enable self-management of symptoms
- Ensure appropriate support, sign posting and follow up for the transition from hospital to home
- Facilitate end of life care wishes/planning where appropriate
Useful links
The team provides assessments and interventions to optimise independence and quality of life as patients go through their cancer journey. These may include:
- Identify what is important to the individual and work together on appropriate goals
- Optimise independence and quality of life
- Support patients in maintaining mobility and function
- Rehabilitate patients
- Provide advice and education to enable self-management of symptoms
- Ensure appropriate support, sign posting and follow up for the transition from hospital to home
- Facilitate end of life care wishes/planning where appropriate
- Chest physiotherapy
- Fatigue and breathlessness management
- Strengthening and exercise programmes
Referrals
We screen all new patients under inpatient oncology through the medical notes, but also receive referrals verbally by any of the multi-disciplinary team. If you or your relative is an inpatient and would like to see a member of our team, please speak to your nurse.
Useful links
The Adult Outpatient Therapy Service offers physiotherapy and occupational therapy to adults who are being treated at the UCLH Macmillan Cancer Centre.
The service offers assessments and interventions for patients who have a range of functional changes as result of their cancer or cancer treatments. These include but are not limited to: fatigue, mobility problems, difficulties completing daily tasks, breathlessness, reduction in physical activity levels and cognitive changes.
The service provides early intervention with personalised and specialised therapy assessments and interventions bridging gaps between specialist, acute and community services, working closely with community rehabilitation and support services to ensure coordinated care and that patients are supported locally wherever possible.
In an initial assessment, we gather information about diagnosis, symptoms, occupation and how a condition may impact on daily activities and function. Depending on the individual's needs, we may offer further appointments to provide personalised goals and interventions. Through timely therapy input, the service enables patients to optimise function throughout the various phases of cancer treatment, reduces emergency admissions, and improves patient experience and quality of life.
Accessing the service
To be eligible for our support, the individual must be over 25 years of age and receiving care under the UCLH Macmillan Cancer Centre – we accept referrals for any member of the multi-disciplinary team.
Contact details
Direct line: 07971 776 300
Email: uclh.
The TYA Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service supports patients aged 13 to 24 years who are receiving cancer treatment, or who have completed treatment and continue to have therapy needs.
The service is based within the TYA unit, which offers dedicated spaces for treatment, education, and recreation in an environment designed specifically for young people.
Patients may experience a range of challenges, such as fatigue, anxiety, reduced physical activity, mobility problems, breathlessness, cognitive difficulties, and difficulties accessing or remaining in education or work.
The service provides one-to-one treatment sessions to enable patients to be as functionally independent as possible and to participate in both necessary and meaningful activities.
The team works closely with the wider TYA multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, play specialists, doctors, and nurses. Links with community services — such as local rehabilitation teams, employment support agencies, schools, colleges, and voluntary organisations — ensure patients are supported close to home wherever possible.
Accessing the service
To be eligible for our support, the individual must be 13 to 24 years old and receiving care under the UCLH Macmillan Cancer Centre – we accept referrals for any member of the multi-disciplinary team.
Contact details
Occupational Therapy: 07930 610 115
Physiotherapy: 07931 249543
The Adult Proton Beam Therapy Team offers physiotherapy and occupational therapy to patients aged 19 and over who are undergoing proton beam therapy treatment at UCLH. There are only two centres in the country, UCLH in London and The Christie in Manchester that offer proton beam therapy, and we therefore receive referrals nationally.
The therapy service offers specialist assessment and interventions for patients who have a range of functional changes as result of their cancer or cancer treatments. These include but are not limited to: fatigue, sleep disturbances, mobility or balance issues, cognitive changes, reduction in physical activity levels and difficulties completing activities of daily living. Through timely therapy input, the service enables patients to optimise function while receiving treatment and aims to improve patient experience and quality of life.
Accessing the service
We see all NHS patients aged 19 and over receiving proton beam therapy at UCLH. We accept therapy handovers from therapists in referring hospitals.
Contact details
Occupational Therapy: 07773 113880
Physiotherapy: 07773 113881
Email: uclh.
Useful links
The Paediatric Proton Beam Therapy Team offers physiotherapy and occupational therapy to children up to their 19th birthday who are undergoing proton beam therapy treatment. There are only two centres in the country, UCLH in London and The Christie in Manchester that offer proton beam therapy and we therefore receive referrals nationally.
The service offers specialist assessment and treatment for children having difficulty with their mobility or balance, post-operative rehabilitation, neuro-rehabilitation, supporting meeting developmental milestones, fatigue management and sleep disturbance, support with cognitive difficulties, as well as managing their activities of daily living and equipment provision.
We review children weekly throughout their course of proton beam therapy and will refer on to local services and charities and provide advice for returning to school as required.
Accessing the service
We see all new patients under 19 years of age receiving proton beam therapy at UCLH and we also receive handovers from other members of the team. We accept therapy handovers from therapists in referring hospitals.
Contact details
Direct line: 07977 372602
Email: uclh.
Useful links
The Children’s and Teenage Cancer Inpatient Therapy Team treats general paediatrics (0-12 years old) and children and teenagers with cancer (0-18 years old). Our friendly team consists of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a therapy assistant.
We recognise that children are not just small adults and no two children are the same, therefore, we provide individualised care to support each child’s needs, as well as their families/carers.
Physiotherapy involves helping children to keep mobile and physically active during and after their medical treatment so they can participate as fully as possible in daily life. Physiotherapy helps with skills such as balance, coordination and strength and we achieve this through play, physical exercise and sport.
Occupational therapy helps children to participate as fully as possible in their everyday activities, focusing on play, schooling and developing social skills and independence. This might be following an illness, accident or cancer diagnosis. Occupational therapists support children and teenagers with cancer to manage the side effects and the impact of treatment.
We work closely with the medical team and other paediatric multi-professionals to ensure we receive early referrals and provide the best care possible.
Useful links
The medicine team at UCLH is made up of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy support staff. We are responsible for the assessment and treatment of patients admitted to hospital with an acute medical condition and cover the following medical specialties; geriatric medicine, respiratory medicine, infectious and tropical diseases, clinical pharmacology and rheumatology.
As a team, we will provide assessment and treatment of physical and cognitive impairment resulting from illness or injury, with the aim of restoring normal activity and promoting independence. We also provide respiratory care and always aim to treat each patient with a holistic approach.
We work closely with other members of staff within the hospital as well as community services to facilitate a safe and timely onward move from the acute setting.
Useful links
The Critical Care Physiotherapy Team covers the 23 bedded critical care unit at UCH and 10 bedded critical care unit at Grafton Way Building (GWB). We work closely alongside the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to help to develop plans and make decisions about a patients' readiness to move.
Physiotherapists play a vital role in the care of critically ill patients focusing on helping patients maintain or regain physical function, manage respiratory issues and recover from serious illness. Critical care physiotherapy can be separated into two key areas: respiratory care, and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation
Patients on critical care may experience:
- Muscle wasting and weakness
- Joint stiffness
- Muscle tightness
- Reduced fitness
Physiotherapists’ play a vital role in helping patients to maintain and improve muscle strength and joint movement through early movement and exercise even whilst still on the ventilator. The physiotherapists will work with each patient to create a personalised plan with set goals to work towards. The critical care physiotherapist will educate patients and significant others about the rehabilitation process, expected outcomes and how to support their recovery at home.
Respiratory care
This involves the assessment and treatment of patients requiring mechanical ventilation and non-invasive ventilation where clearance of secretions may be impaired. The physiotherapists help to clear excess secretions by encouraging early activity (e.g. sitting out of bed or walking), positioning, suctioning and manual techniques (e.g. shaking and vibrations) to help move the secretions.
Some patients can spend a long time needing mechanical ventilation, this can cause respiratory muscle weakness and can sometimes lead to them requiring a tracheostomy. The physiotherapists will work closely with the MDT to create weekly plans to facilitate liberation from mechanical ventilation and subsequent removal of the tracheostomy.
Contact
Physiotherapist Critical Care: Bleep 6607 via UCLH Switchboard (020 3456 7890)
Resources
More information about our Critical Care Unit.
If you have recently been a patient on the UCH Critical Care Unit, you are welcome to attend our Critical Care Follow-Up Clinic. If you were in critical care at UCLH for three days or more and have not received a follow-up call from our team 2 months after your hospital discharge, and would like a call, please contact us at uclh.
Admission to the ICU can be emotional and difficult for patients and their relatives.
For more information on recovery post critical care, please navigate to:
The Surgery Therapy Team consists of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a technical instructor. Following all types of surgery, it is important to sit out of bed and mobilise as soon as possible to minimise the risk of complications such as chest infections and blood clots as well as deconditioning or acute changes in cognition.
As a team, we routinely meet patients on day one following surgery and work with them to regain their independence through activities and exercise, facilitating safe discharge back to the community. We work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team to achieve this.
The main specialities we cover are:
- Head and Neck surgery
- Bariatric surgery
- Upper GI surgery
- Colorectal surgery
- GI medicine
- Gynae-oncology surgery
- Vascular surgery
If you have any questions, we can be contacted on Bleep 6693.
Our prehabilitation pathway supports patients to get ready for major surgery through pre-operative exercise, nutrition and education. It is a multi-modal service with a multidisciplinary team triage, followed by initial assessment with a physiotherapist for pre-operative and post-operative reassessments as well as follow ups, zoom exercise classes and 1:1 input with a dietician as required.
We currently accept referrals from the following services: head and neck, upper gastrointestinal, colorectal, urology, gynaecology-oncology and The Complex Mesh Service, as well as thoracics. The goal is to expand and utilise this pathway for any elective treatment.
The therapy team at Westmoreland Street Hospital will support you following your thoracic or urology surgery. The team consists of physiotherapist, occupational therapists and rehab support workers.
We provide holistic interventions, enabling you to recover from your operation as quickly as possible. Our specialisms include breathlessness, anxiety and fatigue management, along with improving your strength, function, meeting your nutritional needs and enable you to be as independent as possible once you are discharged from hospital.
During your inpatient stay, you will have access to a small gym area to facilitate your recovery.
Contacts
Physiotherapy: bleep 3001
Occupational therapy: 07415 624941
The Respiratory Outpatient Physiotherapy Team at UCLH provides personalised, expert care for patients living with chronic lung conditions. We work closely with respiratory medicine consultants and clinical nurse specialists forming an integral part of multidisciplinary services for bronchiectasis, asthma, unexplained breathlessness, upper airway assessment, and interstitial lung diseases.
Our service supports a wide range of respiratory conditions, offering tailored treatments that may include:
- Airway clearance techniques: Helping to clear mucus and improve lung function
- Breathlessness management: Practical strategies to help you manage and reduce feelings of breathlessness
- Individual or group exercise programmes: Designed to enhance fitness and respiratory health through bespoke exercise programme in a supportive environment
- Breathing pattern retraining: Techniques to improve breathing efficiency
- Cough management: Treatment for persistent and hypersensitive cough.
Patients are seen in an outpatient clinic setting, with initial appointments lasting between 45 minutes and one hour. Please remember to bring any airway clearance devices and inhalers you use to your appointment.
At UCLH, our dedicated Post-COVID19/Post-Viral Therapy Team is committed to supporting patients recovering from COVID19 and other viral illnesses. Comprised of highly skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists, our team plays an integral role in the multidisciplinary assessment clinic, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s needs.
Our therapists specialise in post viral rehabilitation, focusing on helping patients to regain strength, function, and quality of life.
Key areas of intervention include:
- Fatigue management: Providing strategies to help you understand, monitor, and manage fatigue to support a balanced and steady recovery
- Supported self-management: Equipping you with knowledge and practical skills to confidently self-manage fluctuating symptoms and improve your recovery trajectory
- Vocational rehabilitation: Supporting patients to return to work or daily activities safely and effectively
- Breathing pattern retraining: Addressing respiratory difficulties through targeted breathing exercises and techniques
- Recumbent strengthening and supported return to physical activity: Using tailored symptom titrated programs to build strength and manage activity alongside pacing approaches.
We work closely with local borough teams across North Central London to provide seamless post viral therapy, ensuring continuity of care and access to specialist support within the community.
The NCL AACRS is here to support people living with tracheostomies, laryngectomies, or complex breathing needs. Our aim is to make care safe, effective, and closer to home, so that you can feel confident and supported in your day-to-day life.
This service is based at UCLH, but all patient reviews take place within their own home.
We work with patients who:
- Have a tracheostomy or laryngectomy
- Have a learning disability and are prone to respiratory problems
- Need help with ordering respiratory equipment for home including suction
- Use cough assist (MI-E) devices or other chest clearance techniques
- Experience issues such as sialorrhoea (excess saliva)
- Are moving from hospital to home and need extra support
What we offer:
- Specialist respiratory care at home
- Help setting up and managing chest clearance devices including cough assist devices
- Training and support for you, your family, and carers
- Education for local healthcare teams so care is consistent and safe
- Guidance and equipment ordering checks to keep everything working properly
- Close working with your hospital and community teams to make care seamless
Our focus is always on patient-centered care, helping you stay well at home and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.
Contact
If you would like more information, please contact us:
NCL Altered Airways and Complex Respiratory Service
Email: uclh.
Telephone: 07929 669 796
We welcome enquiries from patients, families, and carers. Any healthcare professional can refer to this service, but the service user must live or have a GP within NCL.