Phototherapy is a treatment using ultraviolet light. Phototherapy is administered on referral from a consultant dermatologist and is an effective method of treating many skin conditions. It is often used for skin conditions which have not responded to other treatments, such as creams and ointments. 

What to expect 

We will arrange for you to have a skin test, which takes approximately one hour. This minimal erythema dose (MED) happens on Tuesdays or Thursdays. 

You will then be given a course of phototherapy sessions. Usually you need to have three sessions per week. The sessions are short at first and then increase over the duration of the treatment. These sessions happen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  

Your referring consultant dermatologist will review your progress during treatment and will discontinue the treatment when your skin condition is satisfactory. 

Your pelvic health can be a cause of great distress at times. Pelvic health physiotherapy can alleviate many of the symptoms and help you to feel like yourself again.  

We treat many conditions including: 

• Urinary incontinence  
• Urinary frequency 
• Bladder pain syndrome 
• Prolapse 
• Bowel incontinence 
• Pelvic Pain 
• Sexual dysfunction in women 
• Sexual dysfunction in men 
• Post radiotherapy bowel and bladder problems (pelvic toxicity syndrome) 

Our pelvic health physiotherapists have specialist training to assist in the management of bowel, bladder and sexual function conditions in both men and women. They can help you in the following ways 

• Pelvic floor education 
  
• Relaxation techniques 
• Lifestyle education 
• Bowel/bladder management 
• Sexual education 
• Device education 
• Joint, tissue and neural mobilisation 
• Pelvic floor activation/release exercises 
• Personalised patient programmes
• Referrals to all other relevant doctors, occupational therapists, psychologists and any other support networks that are identified to be helpful

What to expect from a pelvic health consultation 

Pelvic health physiotherapy can be different to what is expected from traditional physiotherapy. It is normal to be asked about you medical, surgical, drug and obstetric history as well as your bladder, bowel and sexual function.  

It is normal to have a pelvic examination in this consultation if the therapist feels this will assist your treatment. Details of this are discussed during your consultation with your therapist. 

A variety of tools and techniques can help to educate you during your consultation including anatomy models, diagrams, video links, bio feedback, electrical stimulus, lubrication advice, dilators, pumps, bladder diaries, education sheets and more. 

This service offers follow up for patients who have undergone prostate surgery and some gynaecology surgeries here at Mater Private Network. You are provided with information on booking post surgery.  

All other referrals to the service should be sent by GP to Mater Private Dublin’s Pelvic Health Clinic.

Occupational therapy (OT) aims to promote health and well-being by enhancing functional activity or by modifying the environment to support participation. Our role promotes functional independence in daily occupations and aims to increase quality of life despite injury, illness, disability or challenging life events (Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland, 2021). 

At Mater Private Network in Dublin we provide assessment and treatment to inpatients with a broad range of conditions. The areas are listed below: 

• Acute/general medicine 
• Orthopaedics & Spine Centre 
• Oncology 
• Cardiology 
• Surgical 
• Care of the elderly

Referral information

Inpatients in Mater Private Network can be referred to the occupational therapy department in Mater Private Dublin by a member of the medical team, nursing staff or allied healthcare professional. 

Occupational therapy hours

The department’s core opening hours are 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday.