Health

Decline in NHS physiotherapy care linked to shrinking rehabilitation spaces and equipment shortages

Tuesday, 28 October 2025 5:04AM UTC

A recent survey reveals that NHS hospitals are reducing dedicated rehabilitation areas and resources for stroke and physiotherapy patients, risking increased disability and hospital readmissions amid ongoing systemic pressures.

Stroke patients and others requiring intensive physiotherapy are facing a decline in care quality, largely due to inadequate rehabilitation space and equipment within NHS hospitals, according to a recent survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. The poll, which included over 2,000 NHS physiotherapy staff, revealed that four in ten have lost, or are at risk of losing, dedicated rehabilitation areas. Additionally, six in ten reported that their therapy rooms had been repurposed by other clinical teams, often citing insufficient funding or a lack of managerial prioritisation as underlying causes.

Sara Hazzard, assistant director of the society, expressed deep concern over the ongoing erosion of rehabilitation spaces. She highlighted the critical importance of these areas, where patients recover mobility and rebuild their lives following strokes or surgeries. Hazzard urged the government to enforce NHS England’s existing estates guidance more rigorously, warning that without restoring and protecting these facilities, the government’s broader ten-year strategy to deliver care closer to home may falter, leaving vulnerable patients behind.

A striking example from a physiotherapist working in stroke rehabilitation illustrated the consequences of this decline: their therapy gym had been reduced to a mere 15 square metres. This severe spatial limitation meant none of their stroke patients achieved the recommended three hours daily of supervised movement and group activities, vital for recovery. The therapist emphasised that with increased space and staffing, these rehabilitation targets could be met, framing the current situation as a matter of chance rather than consistent care.

The survey outcomes painted a troubling picture of NHS physiotherapy services nationwide. Nearly three-quarters of staff reported a decline in rehabilitation quality, while over half experienced reduced access to essential equipment. More than half noticed an increase in patient disability levels and a higher likelihood of hospital readmissions among those they treated. One physiotherapist highlighted the distress felt by patients recovering from falls, noting that busy wards are ill-suited for the sensitive physical and mental recovery these individuals require.

These findings reflect broader systemic challenges. A 2022 survey found that the COVID-19 pandemic had already caused significant disruptions to physiotherapy services, with 73% of physiotherapists unable to provide adequate care due to space being repurposed, forcing treatment into corridors and storage areas. Such conditions led to extended patient waiting times and compromised rehabilitation effectiveness. Similarly, a 2024 report by the British Geriatrics Society documented significant inequalities in rehabilitation services for older adults across the UK, where resource shortages and restrictive access criteria hindered recovery for this vulnerable group.

Further research highlights inconsistencies in post-operative physiotherapy as well, with studies showing many patients do not routinely receive outpatient rehabilitative care after hip or knee replacements, illustrating a fragmented approach to follow-up treatment in high-volume NHS hospitals. In nursing homes, access to physiotherapy is even more limited, with studies revealing only a small minority of residents receive these essential services, often relying on privately employed therapists rather than NHS provision.

The broader pressure on NHS rehabilitation services, especially during and following the pandemic, has led to adaptive but imperfect solutions. For instance, pulmonary rehabilitation programmes shifted towards remote delivery during COVID-19, a strategy that brought benefits but also stark limitations due to patients’ varying technological access and needs. Equally, patients in rural and underserved communities face additional barriers including workforce shortages, poor digital infrastructure, and cultural factors, calling for decentralised and more locally accessible rehabilitation models.

Advocates warn that these accumulating pressures risk creating a postcode lottery in access to physiotherapy, with many, including those with muscle-wasting conditions, missing out on life-enhancing support. Muscular Dystrophy UK's chief executive, Andy Fletcher, described the situation as alarming and emblematic of wider NHS strains, emphasizing the critical need for equitable and consistent rehabilitation services.

In response, a Department of Health spokesperson reiterated the government’s recognition of physiotherapy’s vital role and its commitment to equipping NHS staff with the necessary facilities and resources. The spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to shift care from hospitals to community-centred neighbourhood health centres, aiming to deliver more convenient, coordinated rehabilitation closer to patients’ homes. However, experts and frontline staff stress that without addressing the immediate issues of space, equipment, and staffing, these ambitions may remain out of reach, and patients’ recoveries continue to suffer.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (The Guardian)
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Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (The Guardian)
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Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (The Guardian), ^[2] (Evening Standard)
Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (The Guardian), ^[3] (British Geriatrics Society)
Paragraph 7 – ^[4] (PubMed), ^[5] (PubMed)
Paragraph 8 – ^[6] (ACPRC), ^[7] (The Recovery Path)
Paragraph 9 – ^[1] (The Guardian)
Paragraph 10 – ^[1] (The Guardian)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/27/physiotherapy-care-in-decline-because-of-poor-nhs-facilities-poll-shows - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/nhs-government-east-midlands-london-b1044000.html - A December 2022 survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy revealed that 73% of physiotherapists were unable to provide the necessary rehabilitation care due to repurposed spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to patients being treated in corridors and storage areas, with some waiting months for rehabilitation services. The society called for the return of these spaces to physiotherapy use to ensure effective patient recovery.
https://www.bgs.org.uk/bgs-report-finds-lack-of-rehabilitation-hinders-older-people%E2%80%99s-recovery-from-illness - The British Geriatrics Society's May 2024 report highlighted significant variations in rehabilitation services for older adults across the UK. Factors such as service shortages, restrictive access criteria, and limited resources were identified as barriers to effective rehabilitation. The report emphasized the need for urgent action to address these inequities and improve rehabilitation access for older individuals.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11777091/ - A study published in PubMed examined physiotherapy and occupational therapy provisions in UK nursing homes. The survey found that only 10% of residents received physiotherapy, primarily from private therapists employed by the homes, and 3.3% received occupational therapy. The study concluded that older individuals in nursing homes have limited access to these essential services, often being isolated from NHS provisions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22778023/ - Research published in PubMed investigated physiotherapy services provided to patients after total hip and knee replacements in high-volume NHS hospitals in England and Wales. The survey revealed that no centres routinely referred patients to outpatient physiotherapy following hip replacements, and there was variability in the provision of group physiotherapy for knee replacements, indicating inconsistencies in post-operative rehabilitation services.
https://www.acprc.org.uk/research-publications/editions/2021-journal-vol-53-issue-2/statement-and-considerations-for-the-remote-delivery-of-pulmonary-rehabilitation-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ - The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care addressed the challenges of delivering pulmonary rehabilitation services remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement highlighted the suspension of traditional face-to-face programmes and the shift towards online consultations. It discussed the benefits and limitations of remote delivery, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of patient needs and technological accessibility.
https://rehabinfoguideuk.com/improving-accessibility-nhs-rehabilitation-services-for-rural-and-underserved-communities/ - An article from The Recovery Path explored the challenges in providing NHS rehabilitation services to rural and underserved communities. It identified workforce shortages, limited digital infrastructure, and cultural barriers as key obstacles. The piece advocated for decentralising services, enhancing transportation support, and investing in local capacity building to improve accessibility and equity in rehabilitation services for these populations.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is recent, published on 27 October 2025. However, similar concerns about the decline in physiotherapy services due to repurposed rehabilitation spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported previously, notably in a 1 December 2022 survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/nhs-government-east-midlands-london-b1044000.html?utm_source=openai)) This earlier report highlighted the loss of dedicated rehabilitation areas and the repurposing of therapy rooms, leading to reduced quality of care. The current report builds upon these findings, indicating ongoing issues in NHS physiotherapy services. The inclusion of updated data and quotes may justify a higher freshness score, but the persistence of these issues over time suggests a systemic problem.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The direct quotes from Sara Hazzard, assistant director of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, and the physiotherapist working in stroke rehabilitation are not found in earlier material, indicating potential originality or exclusivity. However, the concerns expressed align with previously reported issues regarding the repurposing of rehabilitation spaces and the impact on patient care.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, a professional body representing physiotherapists in the UK, conducted the survey, adding credibility to the findings.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims regarding the decline in physiotherapy care due to inadequate facilities are plausible and consistent with previous reports. The narrative provides specific figures and quotes, enhancing its credibility. The tone and language are consistent with typical reporting on healthcare issues in the UK. There are no excessive or off-topic details, and the structure focuses on the key issues identified in the survey.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents recent findings from a reputable source, highlighting ongoing issues in NHS physiotherapy services. While similar concerns have been reported previously, the inclusion of updated data and direct quotes from professionals adds credibility and originality to the current report. The plausibility of the claims is supported by consistent reporting and the narrative's alignment with known issues in the healthcare sector.

NHS
Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation
Healthcare Funding
Patient Care