Walking stick clinic
An Occupational Therapy assistant runs a walking stick clinic weekly at Laurence House, AccessPoint, Tuesdays from 11–12. This can help you to make the best use of your walking stick. Some people can be provided with a walking stick by the clinic, but this clinic doesn’t provide walking frames or other more specialist walking equipment – for this you will need to be assessed by a physiotherapist.
The clinic is free and you can just drop in – you don’t need to be referred. People with sight problems who want advice on a suitable walking stick or cane should contact the Visual Impairment Team: tel: 020 8314 7777.
Falls clinic
Some people may fall for no clear reason – if this happens to you, talk to your GP who may be able to find the reason – such as low blood pressure which can be treated with medicine.
The aim of the falls clinic is to see people who have had a fall, blacked out or suffered from dizzy spells, for no known reason, to try to find the cause. If this has happened to you more than once in the last six months, and you are over 65, your GP or Accident and Emergency Department at Lewisham Hospital can refer you to the clinic.
You may be seen by an Occupational Therapist, and together assess your home for anything that may put you at risk of falls. The falls clinic takes place once a week in the Elderly Medicine Day Hospital. Ask your GP for further details.
Stroke or TIA clinic
There is a stroke clinic in the Day Hospital at Lewisham Hospital for people who have had, or may have had, a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). You can be referred to the clinic by a doctor or nurse. You will be seen within two weeks of the clinic receiving the referral. tel: 020 8333 3379.