Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Assistants work with children and young people who have different conditions which affect physical development, walking, movement, balance, coordination and posture. We also help children who have conditions that affect breathing.
How to refer
Access to Physiotherapy is via a referral from your GP, Health Visitor, Midwife or Consultant or other members of the specialist children’s services.
*if the referral is felt to be inappropriate due to not meeting the our criteria, the referrer will be informed and advice given
What happens next?
Following assessment, we may recommend a range of interventions including exercises, activity ideas or a series of treatment sessions with the Physiotherapist or Physiotherapy Assistant. We may also refer your child to the Orthotics or Podiatry Departments for specialist footwear, insoles and splints.
We work closely with our colleagues in the Child Development Centre and may offer joint treatment sessions with, for example, Occupational Therapists and Speech & Language Therapists. You may see us at doctor’s clinics such as Neonatal Clinic, Orthopaedic Clinic as we work with specialist children’s doctors.
We provide Physiotherapy for children on Woodlands Ward, where we see patients on request, Monday to Friday.
How we work
- We will talk to you and assess the child or young person to find out what the main concerns are
- We then can suggest ways to help manage difficulties with walking, movement and balance
- All therapy is designed with contributions from the child and family
- Sometimes we need to organise special equipment such as splints, special shoes and walking frames
- We love to promote active lifestyles and often recommend certain activities (such as swimming and cycling)
- We may only see your child once and offer advice or offer regular appointments, depending on need
- We can give advice to other people, such as teachers, child minders, carers when appropriate
- Appointments can take place at the Child Development Centre, at school or a local children’s centre
If you have a query about the way your child is walking, it may be useful to know that there is a wide range of normal variation. The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists has a range of useful leaflets that you might like to look at before you contact us.
Links to leaflets
Promoting Physical Development – Lying to Sitting
Baby Walkers – Are they necessary?
Harrogate Health Hub also has a section for children: Paediatrics | Harrogate Health Hub
Location
| Child Development Centre
Harrogate District Hospital Lancaster Park Road Harrogate HG2 7SX Tel. 01423 553122 |
Child Development Centre
24 Brompton Road Northallerton North Yorkshire DL6 1EA Tel. 01423 554659 |
Team Lead: Jade Kant
- 01423 553023 (Harrogate District Hospital)
- 01423 542490 (Hambleton and Richmondshire)
- [email protected]
Useful links
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
- Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists | Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (csp.org.uk)
- The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) | (hcpc-uk.org)
- The HMSA | The Hypermobility Syndromes Association
- Home | Disability charity Scope UK
- Cerebra – Working with you and your amazing child
- Contact – for families with disabled children | Contact