Our physiotherapists will talk to you and assess your child to find out what the main concerns are. We will suggest ways to manage difficulties with walking, movement and balance. If required, we can organise special equipment, including:
- Splints
- Special shoes
- Walking frames
We promote active lifestyles and often recommend certain activities such as swimming or cycling. We offer hydrotherapy (exercise and movement in the water) to children who will benefit from the warmth of the water and careful handling by a physiotherapist.
We work with other members of the Specialist Children’s Services and give advice to other people, such as teachers, child minders and carers, when appropriate.
Depending on need, we might see your child once and offer advice, or offer regular appointments. These appointments might be at the Child Development Centre, at school, home or at a local children’s centre.
Harrogate and District
Referral
For children aged up to five years, access to physiotherapy is via our physiotherapy drop-in sessions. These are held on a weekly basis, during term-time, and rotate between four community locations. No referral is necessary, however health professionals such as GPs, paediatricians and health visitors may signpost you to a drop-in session and send us some information in advance.
At a drop-in session, your child will be assessed by a qualified physiotherapist who will offer advice and ideas. They may decide that your child requires a more detailed assessment and will arrange for this to take place at a later date.
Click here to download our Autumn 2018 drop-in clinics timetableTo open a PDF you may need to download Adobe Reader
For older children, we accept referrals from Harrogate and District GPs, Harrogate consultants and health visitors.
Inpatient services
We provide physiotherapy for children on Woodlands Ward, where we see patients on request, Monday to Friday.
What happens next?
Following assessment, we may recommend a range of interventions including exercises, activity ideas, hydrotherapy 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 and language therapists.
Drop in sessions
If you are worried about your child’s physical development please visit one of our ‘Drop-In’ Sessions.
The sessions are run by a qualified Physiotherapist and a Physiotherapy Assistant. They will be able to talk to you about any concerns you may have about your child’s physical development.
Your child must be registered with a Harrogate and Rural District GP to be seen. No appointment is necessary, just call in.
To find out more about sessions up until May 2019, click here to read the leaflet and here to read the poster containing the drop-in session dates.
For sessions after May 2019, and up to July 2019, click here to find out more and here to view the dates.
Key staff
Children’s Physiotherapy Team Leader: Fran Hartley
Senior Specialist Children’s Physiotherapists: Rachel Hill and Helene Whitaker
Specialist Children’s Physiotherapists: Hazel Smith and Louise Hinchliffe
Physiotherapy Assistants: Anita Lindsay and Amanda Rayner
Hambleton and Richmondshire
The physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants in Hambleton and Richmondshire work with children and young people who have different conditions which affect physical development, walking, movement, balance, coordination and posture.
Location
Harrogate District Hospital
Specialist Children’s Services
Child Development Centre
Harrogate District Hospital
Lancaster Park Road
Harrogate
HG2 7SX
Hambleton and Richmondshire
Specialist Children’s Services
Child Development Centre
24 Brompton Road
Northallerton
DL6 1EA