BBC News | HEALTH | Physio treatment to get image change

A medical centre which aims to take the uncertainty out of physiotherapy treatments has opened in Surrey.

The Metis claims to be the first of its kind in Europe to offer patients the most up-to-date treatments available and within a definite time limit.

The centre has received wide endorsement from cardiologists and orthopaedic surgeons.

The centre is also set to be one of the first to adopt procedures under the government's public/private partnership plans for the NHS.

Worldwide research

David West, the managing director of Metis, said: "The difficulty in providing people with the services of physiotherapy in the past is that they have not been able to know whether the procedures being used are the most up-to-date."

To remedy this, the centre's team has spent the last two years carrying out worldwide research into the most cutting-edge treatments in cardiac and orthopaedic care.

Ian Wright helped open the Metis centre
Mr West, a sports injury specialist who has treated Premiership footballers said: "The physiotherapy profession has been lagging behind other, more inferior, treatments like osteopathy and chiropractic care for years.

"This is our chance to put it back at the top of the tree."

Facilities at the centre in Thornton Heath will enable staff to establish fully the extent of people's injuries.

It will offer free care to patients of the two NHS trust areas in which it is located, as well as treating private patients.

Celebrity opening

The Metis also offers staff the opportunity to update their skills during their working hours.

Mr West said: "I've been a chartered physiotherapist since 1984 and there has been a growing dissatisfaction among staff in the difficulties to learn about new developments, to become more competent physiotherapists.

"This centre will remedy that by providing staff with three hours of teaching a week."

The centre was opened by former Arsenal player and TV presenter Ian Wright and renowned ballet dancer Deborah Bull.


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