Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement to maximise potential. Physiotherapists use evidence-based exercise and physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being. CSP curriculum framework (January 2002).

About us

In Beaumont Hospital, incorporating St Joseph’s Hospital, physiotherapists work in a wide variety of health settings such as respiratory, neurosciences, musculoskeletal (including continence service) and care of the elderly.  The department provides in and outpatient physiotherapy services. All patients are individually assessed and therapy is provided on an individual basis, in a class setting or joint sessions with other disciplines as appropriate.

In addition, physiotherapists are actively involved in areas of specialised research and under and post-graduate education.

All physiotherapists working in the department are chartered physiotherapists and are eligible for membership of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and/or Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.

Services

• Musculoskeletal
• GP Outpatients
• A&E Outpatients
• Rheumatology
• Continence
• Neurosciences
• Care of the Elderly
• Respiratory
• Oncology and Symptomatic Breast Care

Contacts

Beaumont Physiotherapy Department
Beaumont Hospital
P.O. Box 1297
Dublin 9
Telephone +353 1 809 2526 / 809 2956
Fax +353 1 809 2282

Acting Physiotherapy Manager, Roisin Breen
Email: roisinbreen@beaumont.ie

Acting Deputy Physiotherapy Manager, Pedro Vasquez
Email: pedrovasquez@beaumont.ie

Location

Beaumont Hospital and St Joseph’ s Hospital both have Physiotherapy Departments  The Physiotherapy Department in Beaumont Hospital is located in the Rehabilitation Department on the ground floor. In St Joseph’s Hospital there is a rehabilitation gym in the main Hospital.

Staff

Staffing across the two sites comprises is approximately 45 physiotherapists, 2 physiotherapy assistants and clerical staff support.

Recruitment

Permanent positions are advertised in the national Sunday papers. Informal enquiries may be directed to the physiotherapy manager. All non Republic of Ireland graduates must be validated by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) (info@iscp.ie) prior to application and employment.

Research and Education

Under and post graduate training is facilitated through Beaumont Hospital. It is the recognised teaching hospital for the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. Students from RCSI, UCD and other physiotherapy schools complete placements here under the supervision of practice tutors. We also participate in training workshops and lectures for staff and patients within the Hospital.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing professional education occurs across all the specialist areas in line with the ISCP recommendations. This involves journal clubs, In-service training, clinical supervision, clinical reasoning sessions and a formal appraisal system for staff grade therapists.

Beaumont Hospital physiotherapy department is a member of the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATH's) CPD development group. A competency assessment programme and personal development planning is an integral part of the individual staff member’s CPD. A number of staff are currently involved in MSc and PhD programmes, post graduate education is encouraged and supported.

Research / Publications

Research plays a vital role to the future development of physiotherapy to ensure evidence based practice and promote the profession. Physiotherapists in Beaumont Hospital are actively involved in various projects and have presented at both a national and international level as well as publications in recognised journals.

Examples include:

• A randomised controlled trial to investigate the effects of orthotics on tempero- spatial parameters. R. Egginton, F. Keogan, G Kearns, P O’ Connell. British Rheumatology Conference, Glasgow May 06
• A randomised controlled trial to investigate the effects of open and closed chain quadriceps strengthening in subjects with OA of the knee. F. Keogan, C. Gilsenan P O’ Connell. American Rheumatology conference - Oral Presentation, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists conference Nov 06
• A profile of the incidence and management of spasticity-related problems in a neurosurgical setting- M Shannon, J Levingstone, Rehabilitation and Therapy Conference, University of Ulster 07
• An Investigation of Subjective and Motor Fatigue in Prior Polio Patients and the relationship with the Energy Cost of Walking. 07 Deirdre Murray

Upcoming Courses

Please log on to the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists website to view all upcoming physiotherapy courses taking place in Ireland in the next year.

Useful links

• Irish Society Chartered of Physiotherapists
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• World Confederation for Physical Therapy
• Royal College of Surgeons
• University College Dublin (UCD)

Please note that Beaumont Hospital is not responsible for any information on external websites.