Paediatric Physiotherapy
Who are we?
Children’s (paediatric) physiotherapy is a qualified team providing specialist services to children and young people aged 0-19 to promote health and wellbeing. We put programs together to allow that child or young person to achieve the best function possible. All therapists are registered with the national regulatory body – the health care professionals council (HPCP) which maintains an online register of physiotherapists.
Where we work
We work in a variety of places, mainly the child development centre, schools, nurseries, special schools (Ridgeway, St. Johns and Ivel Valley), home visits, Riverbank (Bedford Hospital Children’s Ward) and Meadowbank (Bedford Hospital Neonatal Ward).
Who can refer to us
Lots of different people can refer to us, GP’s, Consultants, health visitors, school nurses, SENDCO’s and early years professionals.
What we can help with
We have a specific understanding of:
- Child development
- Conditions and diseases that occur in childhood
- Musculoskeletal and sports injuries in children and young people
- Neurological conditions affecting children and young people
- A range of therapeutic treatments that help optimise wellbeing and function in the child or young person
- Multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment if a child or young person
- An awareness of the effect on a family a sick or disabled child can have
- The ability to work with a range of professionals to ensure the child or young person remain as the centre of treatment
Paediatric physiotherapy
We take a holistic approach and work closely with other health and education professionals.
We aim to maximise each child’s physical potential through individually tailored programmes of exercise and to give advice and support to families and carers to maximise the physical development of the child.
We are able to help in a variety of ways with many conditions which include:
| Condition | Examples | Web link |
| Development delay | Premature babies, Downs Syndrome, learning disability | http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/ |
| Muscular dystrophies | Duchene, Spinal muscular atrophy | http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/ |
| Neurological | Cerebral Palsy ,Head Injury | http://www.scope.org.uk/ |
| Orthopaedic | Post fractures, post surgical interventions idiopathic toe walkers, Talipes, Torticollis, hypermobility syndrome, posture | |
| Rheumatology | Juvenile idiopathic arthritis | |
| Developmental co-ordination Disorders (DCD) | http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/ | |
| Post viral fatigue syndrome | ||
| Respiratory problems | CF, Bronchiectasis, chest Infection | http://www.cftrust.org.uk/ |
Patients can be referred by GPs, consultants, other health professionals or early years education professionals based at the child development centre.
If your child has been referred to the paediatric physiotherapy department, please click on the link below for a handy information leaflet on what to expect.
Contact Us
Hannah Shore, Professional Lead Physiotherapist
Telephone:
01234 310278
E-mail: