Your first visit and initial assessment
What to expect
Exercise with a PICC line?
You can maintain an active lifestyle and exercise safely.
Your first visit to Active Against Cancer will be for a one-to-one assessment which will take approximately 1 hour to complete and conducted by our Lead Physical Trainer and Senior Physiotherapist. We will conduct a detailed clinical assessment of you as an individual, to gain an understanding of your medical history and your clinical needs. Only then can we give you your personalised individual exercise programme.
During this assessment a specially trained physiotherapist or physical trainer will:
We will explain how the benefits of exercise can help you through your diagnosis. Explain the timetable, how to book in and what to expect during an exercise session.
We will ask for details of the treatment you have already had or are due to have in the future. We will also discuss some of the common side effects these treatments may cause and, where possible, explain how specific exercises can help to alleviate these side effects.
The exercises sessions we provide are safe, effective and appropriate for your needs. In order to keep you safe during your time with our programme, we will conduct a very detailed medical screening. We will discuss previous and current medical conditions and any other medication you have prescribed. We may also give you specific instructions for during exercises sessions and medications which you may be required to bring with you to every session (such as medications for respiratory conditions).
We will perform some very basic physical tests to assess your range of movement, strength and flexibility. We also have some questionnaires, which relate to energy levels and quality of life, both of which could be impacted upon by a cancer diagnosis.
Completing the assessment will then enable us to prescribe a course of exercise which is specific to your individual needs. This could help you prepare for surgery or other treatments, help you cope better with current treatments and help you quickly and safely recover.
You will leave your initial assessment with a review appointment. This will coincide with starting or finishing a particular treatment or at a 3-monthly interval dependent on your individual needs.
Important information for your first assessment
- If you take medication, please bring with you a repeat prescription as this can save time during the assessment.
- Please wear comfortable clothing with flat comfortable shoes.
- If you require spectacles for reading, please bring them with you as we have a short questionnaire to complete.
- If you feel more comfortable bringing a partner/carer/family member with you to the assessment, this is absolutely fine.
- There is an abundance of free parking at both our Harrogate and Ripon sites.
- If you are struggling to get here you can call our volunteer driver service (Driving Force) for help and advice on 01423 813090 (Harrogate & Knaresborough) or 01765 645907 (Ripon area). Visit the Driving Force website.
Steve Henwood
Kerry Archer
Hannah Peagram
Helen Scott
Throughout your journey
As an NHS service, we will be with your throughout your cancer journey. We communicate with you and your clinical team to give you the best personalised health care. We create the safest, most effective and most appropriate care for you as an individual.
At different points following your diagnosis you may need specific assistance. We can refer you to those services within the NHS. We have regular reviews with you so you receive the best personalised care.
As part of your assessment we want to know your baseline levels of fitness, flexibility and mobility. We reassess you before and after new treatment and at 3 and 6 month rehabilitation stages.
We won’t refer you to a single point of access until we are confident you are back to your baseline fitness.