Terms & Conditions
The following are the terms and conditions for Lifelong Physiotherapy services. A variety of Physiotherapy treatments can be provided depending on assessment of you as the client and on what is agreed with your therapist. It is important that you read all of the terms and conditions before availing of services.
What you can expect?
Therapy provided by a fully qualified, insured and experienced Chartered Physiotherapist. An at home service is provided. This means that all sessions will take place in your home. On occasion if deemed an appropriate part of your therapy an outside location may be agreed to receive services such as your garden or local park. It is important that you ensure a safe environment for therapy in your home (i.e. fire alarms in good working order, any agitated pets kept in a separate room).
All services start with an initial assessment. This usually requires a 60 minute session. This will involve:
Meeting your physiotherapist
A discussion around your past medical and current health
A discussion about your current expectations and what goals you aspire to achieve
An agreement about what days and times work best for treatment provision (this may be a set number or on a session by session basis)
A recommendation on how soon treatments should commence will be made
A full holistic assessment of your current presentation
A treatment plan with an aim to work towards agreed realistic goals
Please be aware that you will be continually assessed throughout your sessions and therefore your treatment plans may change accordingly. You will always be included in your treatment planning. It is possible, after your initial assessment, it is decided treatment for your condition is not possible and therefore alternative options will be suggested. Full payment for the initial assessment is still required in this instance. At the beginning of your initial assessment you will be asked to sign a consent form. This will be confirmation that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions and therefore agree to receive services. If you any difficulties accessing or completing this yourself or wish to discuss details further please contact us before your first assessment. Follow up treatment sessions usually require 30, 45 or 60 minute sessions. If you require longer or shorter sessions, this can be agreed after your initial assessment. What each treatment session involves varies depending on your presentation. Please find a list below of some treatments which can be offered but be aware this list is not exhaustive:
Exercise prescription
Soft tissue massage
Taping
Sensory rehab
Proprioceptive training
Vestibular rehab
Cardiac rehab
Balance training
Mobility progression
Falls prevention
Pre/post operative rehab
The most appropriate treatment techniques will be suggested for you and will commence with your agreement. Some techniques may require removal of some clothes. This will always be explained fully to you and your consent will be sought. Your dignity will be maintained at all times.
It is common for a home exercise programme to be prescribed to you. It will be individualised to your needs and availability. It is designed to maximise your potential outcome and therefore it is important that you communicate any problems or barriers to your therapist. Failure to comply with these may slow your recovery or progression.
Agreeing to and receiving services does not guarantee your desired outcome. All services will be continually open and honest and only treatments which are reasoned to have the potential to elicit the desired outcome will be provided. Measures, where possible, will be taken to demonstrate the effect of treatment and these will be shared with you throughout. Please be aware that you can verbally refuse any particular techniques at any point without breaking your contract. Alternatives, where possible, will be offered and if treatment needs to cease an agreement will be made with your therapist. All treatment provided up until that point will need to be paid in full and any discounts or offers applied may need to be reimbursed for treatments received or the amount for the whole number of sessions including those outstanding sacrificed.
What is expected of you?
You are expected to read the terms and conditions in full before the initial assessment. You are advised to ask any questions regarding the terms and conditions before consenting to assessment or treatment from Lifelong Services. If you have any difficulties accessing our terms and conditions or have a representative who you wish to assist you with forms or finances please communicate this to Lifelong Physiotherapy so we can ensure our service is as accessible to you as possible. Once a date is agreed by phone or email for an initial assessment it is expected that you will ensure you are available to attend for the whole duration. This is also the case for any subsequent sessions.
Any cancellations require 48 hours notice without charge. Cancelling within 48 hours incurs full payment of the cost of your session. There may be some flexibility applied in certain situations such as symptoms of Covid 19 or justifiable reasons why notice was not possible within the required timeframe but these will be discussed with you and at the discretion of Lifelong Physiotherapy. If your therapist cancels a session due to sickness an alternative session will be offered to you and you will not be charged for the cancelled session.
If you are late for a session the full amount will still need to be paid even if the full time cannot be provided. If your therapist is late for a session and cannot provide the full time you will only be charged for the time that could be provided.
Throughout your sessions you are expected to answer all questions honestly especially those relating to your health as some treatments may be contraindicated. Please cancel your session immediately if you or someone in your household develops symptoms of Covid 19 and update Lifelong when you or the household member have received a negative PCR or are out of any required isolation and therefore are safe to resume therapy. Please also cancel your session if you become acutely unwell in any way or have experienced unusual symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the proceeding 48 hours. If you are unsure you can all use to discuss prior to cancelling. You are entitled to receive therapies from other providers whilst entering into a contract with Lifelong Physiotherapy but you must disclose this so your therapist is able to monitor how you are responding to intervention and can adjust accordingly. If another therapist is providing a treatment that is deemed to interfere with therapy provided by Lifelong Physiotherapy it may be recommended that you stop the additional treatment for the duration of your sessions or delay involvement of our services.
Any equipment or advice provided to you will be individualised to your needs. It is not advised that you share equipment or make recommendations based on this advice to anyone else.
Costs and Fees
Fees for each session are as agreed with you before booking your initial assessment. Additional fees you may be required to pay can include travel time and time for any required additional admin such as report writing, referrals, consented contact with other professionals involved in your care or researching aids/adaptations or equipment that may benefit you. These will be discussed and agreed with you before completion. You will be invoiced at the end of each month unless agreed otherwise. Lifelong Physiotherapy does accept insurer payments but any shortfall is the responsibility of the you as the client. You can pay immediately by cash or cheque or bank transfer (details of which will be provided to you). You are expected to pay in full within 7 days after receipt of the invoice unless agreed otherwise. Failure to pay for any fees or charges may result in legal action being taken against you.
Breaking a contract
If treatment ceases as it is felt that you are not following constructive advice you will still be liable to pay for that session in full. If you wish to stop a session without a justifiable reason you will still be liable to pay for that session in full. If a session stops because you have become unwell a reasonable agreement will be made together. If a session stops because of your therapist’s personal reasons you will be not be charged.
Confidentiality
All of the information provided to Lifelong Physiotherapy will be kept confidential. Any sharing of information will be done only with your consent. Please be aware however your therapist has a legal obligation to report to appropriate services if it is felt you or someone else are vulnerable to harm. Your data will be stored according the Data Protection Act and according to the EU General Data Protection Regulation effective from 25/05/2018 (https://gdpr-info.eu/)
Adverse Effects
Despite best care some techniques may result is minor bruising, muscle pain or headaches. These will be communicated to you prior to each session. If you experience any expected or unexpected effects after a treatment session even if it is a delayed effect please contact your therapist immediately to discuss. Appropriate advice will be offered where possible and further sessions adjusted accordingly when indicated. If you have any concerns about a treatment you receive or an experience you have under the care of Lifelong Physiotherapy please communicate these to your therapist who will try to rectify them immediately.