Physiotherapy
Assesses mobility, transfers, gait, balance, strength and exercise tolerance. PT advises on safe mobilisation, rehabilitation potential, walking aids, stairs and the level of support needed for discharge.
Clinical evidenceNICE · Cochrane · UpToDate
Evidence sources ↓Learn the UK acute medical take
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Practical orientation for international medical graduates who are new to the UK system, and newly qualified physicians who want to master the acute medical take.
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Understand how UK acute care works.
Use each pathway to orientate yourself to common terminology, escalation, local policy, senior review and multidisciplinary working.
Check your current local guideline before prescribing or starting a treatment pathway.
Local antimicrobial policy, drug formulary, referral routes, escalation criteria, equipment and monitoring arrangements take priority where they differ.
Common presentations
21 clinical pathways
Whole-person acute care
The multidisciplinary team
Start discharge thinking at admission. Match referrals to the patient’s acute problem, baseline function, goals, cognition, home circumstances and likely recovery trajectory.
Occupational therapy
Assesses activities of daily living, cognition, function and the effect of the home environment. OT supports equipment, adaptations, compensatory strategies, care needs and safe discharge planning.
Coordinated decisions
Medical, nursing, pharmacy, PT, OT, speech and language therapy, dietetics, social work and community teams share risks and goals. Record ownership, escalation decisions and a realistic discharge plan.
Practical principles
- Establish baseline function and collateral history early.
- Refer promptly when assessment may prevent deconditioning or delayed discharge.
- Do not let therapy assessment delay urgent investigation, treatment or escalation.
- Include the patient and carers in goal-setting and safety-netting.
Clinical safety notice — local guidance must be checked
Source links checked 25 July 2026This app is a navigation aid for qualified healthcare professionals. It does not replace assessment, senior review, current local policy, specialist advice or emergency escalation. Verify drug doses, contraindications, monitoring requirements and publication dates in the source and local guideline.