Paediatric physiotherapy is a specialist service for children and young people aged 0 to 18 with gross motor difficulties. The service can also support those aged up to 19 if they’re in a specialist setting.
Those working within the service are known as community physiotherapists.
Community physiotherapists can:
- assess
- treat
- provide advice.
Their work can involve:
- direct therapy on an individual basis or in groups
- specialist clinics
- stretching and strengthening exercise plans
- postural care, positioning and manual handling
- health promotion and advice to education settings (on how children with physical needs can access the curriculum in full)
- training for parents, carers and school staff to enable continued care.
There may be a need for physiotherapists advice for your child or young person going forward. If this is the case, there will be a need for support from families to ensure the physiotherapy can have a positive impact.
Which conditions are supported
Conditions the service can support include:
- neurological conditions
- developmental delay
- rheumatology
- developmental co-ordination
- abnormal gait
- congenital abnormalities
- musculoskeletal problems
- rehabilitation following surgery
- acquired head injuries.
These conditions will impact your child or young person's everyday life and independence.
Where the service can provide support
The service provides therapy to children at:
- home
- children's centres
- nurseries
- special settings
- mainstream education settings
- clinics
- joint clinics at tertiary centres.
Joint working
Community physiotherapists may work as members of a team including:
- paediatric occupational therapists
- speech and language therapists
- paediatricians
- nursing teams
- education and social care services.
Referral process
Referrals must be made from a professional working with a child or young person.
Your child or young person must:
- be registered with a Medway general practice (GP)
- attend a Medway education setting.
To make a referral:
- phone: 0300 123 5005.
- email: MEDCH.childrenscommunity@nhs.net.
You can also make a referral for children's physiotherapy online.
For more information visit the Medway Community Healthcare website.