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, footwear and walking frames.
We promote active lifestyles and often recommend 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. Normally, 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.
Currently we are working in a different way. If you think your child may benefit from physiotherapy or you are concerned about your child’s development please phone us on 01423 553023. We will then arrange for a member of the physiotherapy team to call you back. This telephone appointment may then progress to a video call or a face-to-face appointment, as appropriate.
Your child must be registered with a Harrogate and Rural District GP.
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 Physiotherpists 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: https://www.harrogatehealthhub.co.uk/paediatrics
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, Cccupational Therapists and Speech and Tanguage therapists.
Key staff
Advanced Specialist Children’s Physiotherapists: Rachel Hill, Hazel Smith and Helene Whitaker
Specialist Children’s Physiotherapists: Louise Haigh, Hannah Ives and Jenny Frosztega
Physiotherapy Assistants: Amanda Rayner and Jemma Dobson
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