Performing Arts Medicine in Wales

Free face-to-face BAPAM GP and Physiotherapy consultations at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

On stage, backstage, on set, in the studio, teaching, on tour, at college – if you have a health problem related to your work or study in performing arts, BAPAM can help.

To book an appointment call 020 8167 4775, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Location: Our Cardiff clinic is kindly hosted by RWCMD, Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3ER.

Directions

Who will I see?

Both GP and Physiotherapy consultations are available at this clinic. 

Dr Pippa Wheble is an NHS and BAPAM GP, and a graduate of the Performing Arts Medicine MSc programme at UCL. She has special interests in anxiety management and breathing techniques. Her other interests in the context of General Practice include holistic and integrated health care, occupational health, women’s health, ophthalmology. She is a keen singer and instrumentalist, playing violin, viola, saxophone and piano, and she has also trained in dance. 

Virginia Harvey is a Physiotherapist with over 10 years’ experience of working as an Extended Scope Physiotherapy Practitioner in Cardiff and Vale NHS, as well as in private practice. She is experienced in rehabilitation, pre-habilitation, consultant orthopaedic clinics, minor injuries, occupational health and hydrotherapy. At the BAPAM Cardiff clinic she offers musculoskeletal assessment for a wide range of performing arts work and study related physical health concerns. 

How do I book in for a face to face or online session? If you have a health problem that is caused by or impacting your work or study in the performing arts, BAPAM can support you with free, expert clinical assessment. By providing specialist advice from clinicians with a deep understanding of creative sector health needs, we work with you to overcome problems quickly and help you access the most effective care.

Our helpline team will talk to you about your situation and advise you about available support. We will either book you in for a consultation in our clinic or, if other forms of support are likely to help you more, we will advise you further about this. For example, we can provide information about services within the NHS or offered by performing arts medicine specialist practitioners, signpost you to resources for injury management, or highlight additional support within the performing arts. 

To get in touch with BAPAM, please call 020 8167 4775 or email info@bapam.org.uk. Our helpline is open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. 

Who is eligible for the BAPAM free clinic? 

If you are working or studying in the performing arts and have an illness or injury that is impacting your ability to work or study, you may be eligible for support from BAPAM. This support could include attending a face to face or online clinic. If you are unsure if you are eligible for support from BAPAM please email us at info@bapam.org.uk or call 020 8167 4775. 

What will happen during the consultation?

During your consultation, our clinician is likely to:

• Ask about your symptoms and their history.  
• Inquire about any previous treatments or investigations you may have had.  
• Ask about your general health, past health conditions, and medications.
• Discuss your ideas, concerns, and expectations regarding your condition.  
• Explore how your symptoms affect your work, family, relationships, social and leisure activities, and day-to-day life, including the psychological and emotional impact.  
• Review previous letters or investigation you may have provided.  
• Perform a clinical examination, where relevant.
• Discuss their findings and recommendations with you. 

Further information is available in the the patient information leaflet, Understanding Your BAPAM Consultation.

What Comes After the Consultation?

Usually, you will receive a detailed letter summarising the assessment and our recommendations. You can use this letter to inform your NHS GP and other health professionals, and to support applications for funding towards specialist health care. In some cases, you will be contacted by the BAPAM team to explain the next steps in the process. Your clinician will explain which to expect. 

You will also receive an email to provide feedback on your experience. 

Related Information: Search the BAPAM Directory for performing arts specialist healthcare practitioners in Scotland

To help you find safe, effective and professional care, please read these guidelines before using the BAPAM Directory.

A list of BAPAM-registered pracitioners in Scotland can be found here: Performing arts specialist healthcare practitioners in Scotland. 

Useful Documents: