SPORTING royalty was at college green on Monday as GB athlete Hannah England helped to officially open the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital’s (ROH) new outpatient physiotherapy and podiatry department.
The Northfield hospital has invested more than £3.5million in relocating outpatient physiotherapy and podiatry services from its main Bristol Road site to College Green at Bournville.
Patients and staff will now have easier access to upgraded equipment and facilities at the site.
Hydrotherapy and oncology patients will still be treated at the main hospital site.
Patients will be advised where their appointment will be held in their clinic letters.
In total, 30 per cent of all primary care appointments are related to musculoskeletal conditions with the new location meaning patients can be treated in a specialist area away from the main hospital site.
The hospital’s head of therapy services, Nikki Mason, said: “The move provides opportunities for the ROH to engage with the wider local community to promote good musculoskeletal health.
“Many teams have worked together to create this new centre of excellence in the community for our patients.
“There’s a dedicated paediatric area for our younger patients and the new space will be a fantastic environment for our colleagues to work in.”
Middle distance runner Hannah, a world silver medallist in 2011 and 2012 London Olympian, added: “As an athlete, physiotherapy has been essential throughout my career.
“I am also aware of the massive difference it makes in restoring function and transforming lives.
“This is a fantastic assessment and rehabilitation facility with some amazing new equipment which will really benefit the patients who use it.”
