Local Clinics to Provide Physical Therapy Services Nationwide

Patients Gain Easier Access to Physiotherapy Through Gold Card Scheme

Patients across 67 provinces can now receive physical therapy at local clinics under the National Health Security Office (NHSO) universal healthcare scheme, eliminating the need for long waits at hospitals.

Jadej Thammatacharee, NHSO secretary-general, announced that private clinics in provinces including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Songkhla have joined the 30-baht gold card programme. These clinics now offer physiotherapy services to scheme participants, making treatment more accessible.

The expanded services allow patients to visit nearby clinics instead of traveling to hospitals, reducing waiting times. Physical therapists can also provide in-home treatments for certain cases, helping patients recover faster.

Dr Jadej emphasized the importance of timely physiotherapy, particularly for those needing intermediate care within six months of hospital discharge. Delays in treatment may lower rehabilitation success rates and slow recovery.

Overcrowded hospital facilities and long travel distances previously made accessing physiotherapy difficult for some patients. The participation of private clinics under the scheme now offers a more convenient alternative.

Eligible patients include those recovering from strokes, brain injuries caused by accidents or surgeries, spinal cord injuries, and fragility fractures of the hip in individuals aged 50 and older.

Patients can visit these clinics directly without referrals from registered hospitals. To book appointments or make inquiries, they can contact the NHSO hotline at 1330.