Practical considerations in running a clinical FES service.
Presenters: Prof. Ian Swain [1-2], Prof. Paul Taylor [1], Christine Singleton & Dr Ines Bersch
[1] Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Odstock Medical Limited, Salisbury, UK; [2] Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK.
Workshop description: The two main presenters have had first hand experience of running clinical FES services for over 30 years during which time many thousands of patients have passed through the system. They have established this clinical service based on the research studies undertaken in the early 1990’s in which the systematic collection of data formed a key component and enabled evidence to be provided to healthcare commissions essential for long term funding. In addition to their own clinical service, they have been heavily involved in the dissemination of the results of their work and in helping many other organisations set up their own services.
The workshop will follow the complete pathway followed by a new referral to the service, from screening and the initial appointment, through patient education, selection of appropriate outcome measures, choice of appropriate equipment etc. to long term follow up and providing information to healthcare funders. It will be based on a chapter in the forthcoming book, ‘Techniques and Technologies in Electrical Stimulation for Neuromuscular Rehabilitation – A practical Clinical Guide’ edited by Swain, Burridge and Street. A checklist covering all the issues that need to be addressed in running such a service will be provided to attendees. The main points of which are:
1) Using evidence from current research,
2) Selecting the correct referrals for treatment,
3) User and staff training,
4) Selection of equipment,
5) How to undertake long term care, often over many years,
6) Dealing with healthcare funders and providing evidence to them to ensure long term funding.
As both presenters have worked in the NHS in the UK for many years their experience will be mainly from that perspective. However, they also have some experience of other healthcare models, but in order to make this workshop more generalisable a discussion panel will be convened including people from other countries who are running their own services. The other members of this panel will be published closer to the event. It is expected that the formal presentations will take about 60 minutes in order to leave 30 minutes for this discussion.