Physiotherapy

What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a science-based profession which considers the whole person when approaching their health & well-being, to help restore movement & function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, WHO)

How can I help myself?
Evidence shows that there are many conditions which improve with time, good self-management & staying active.

There are lots of things you can do to improve your own, and your family’s health and well-being.

For further information & resources have a look at:

NHS Inform www.nhsinform.scot
Versus Arthitis www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/
Healthy Shetland www.healthyshetland.com

For information more specific to you, click on the department list below.

Physiotherapy in NHS Shetland.
To provide the best service to the population in Shetland, we work in three main teams:

  • Ward & community based rehabilitation team
    (e.g. hospital care, neurological conditions, respiratory conditions, frailty, mobility problems, learning disability)
  • Out-Patient adult team
    (e.g. adults with work or sport related injuries, back & joint pain, women’s health, incontinence, arthritis, chronic pain)
  • Children & Young Persons team
    (e.g. joint & muscle problems, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, arthritis, injuries)

How to access Physiotherapy?
There are several ways you can access our service:

  • You can refer yourself. Please complete the Adult Physiotherapy Self-Referral Form or the Children & Young People's Self Referrral Form and either send it to our e-mail address, or send a paper copy in the post. If you are referring someone else (e.g. a child or someone you care for), please ensure you have discussed this with them first, and have their consent. If you are unable to complete the form, please get in touch & we can support you with it.
  • Your GP may refer you.
  • A hospital doctor or other clinician may refer you.

Are you interested in becoming a Physiotherapist?
There is lots of information on the CSP website www.csp.org.uk/careers-jobs/career-physiotherapy

If you are interested in doing work experience with us, please contact:

If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch, and keep your eye on NHS Scotland Jobs page for current NHS Shetland vacancies.