Children's Physiotherapy Service

CRH Childrens Occupational Therapy.webp Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession which promotes the health and wellbeing of patients and families striving to improve quality of life.

As Children’s Physiotherapists we specialise in supporting babies, children and young adults who present with symptoms impacting their physical development or affecting their participation in play, education and socialisation. We see a variety of children with and without a formal diagnosis including those who have a developmental delay, coordination challenges and/or difficulties with movements.

Our aim is to empower each child to achieve their full potential through creating an individualised therapy care plan, providing exercise programmes and upskilling each child and their support network to become experts in their care. We always try to work in partnership with the children and young people themselves, their families and any other professionals involved.

Children's Physiotherapy Referrals

Both qualified physiotherapists and therapy assistants work within the service. Initial assessments will always be carried out by a qualified physiotherapist. You may receive further assessment and intervention by a physiotherapist or a therapy assistant depending on your need.

All our therapists have a full DBS check and are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council. Therapists work within and abide by, the codes of practice of their professional bodies - the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Every staff member will also work with and abide by Chesterfield Royal NHS Foundation Trust's "Proud to Care" values

We are often involved in the training of therapy students. All students have undergone full DBS checks. If you do not wish for a student to be present at your appointment please let us know.

If you would like more information about Physiotherapy for children, visit the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists website.

Outpatients:

We offer outpatient clinic sessions at The Den, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Buxton Health Centre and Shirebrook Health Centre. Our outpatient therapists will complete an initial assessment and advice you on how to best support your child's development. You may also be provided with a specific treatment plan to complete at home, this will be reviewed at a follow-up appointment.

Community service:

Our community team see children who require physiotherapy support in their home environment or education setting. We endeavour to help the family and the wider team of caregivers to understand the child's physical difficulties and how to enable them to achieve their best and develop skills through educating families, teaching staff and other relevant professionals on how to best manage their physical needs throughout the day.

Physiotherapy intervention may consist of a specific physiotherapy programme and/or may include the provision of specialist equipment to support posture, healthy bone development and functional abilities. Should equipment be provided supporting information such as a postural passport will also be devised and shared with the key people involved with your child's care.

Special School:

We also have a team amongst our community service who specialise in working in special school settings across North Derbyshire; Ashgate Croft School, Peak School, Stubbin Wood School and Alfreton Park School. The team support children in school who have identified physical and postural needs within their Educational Health Care Plans and meet the referral criteria. The special schools team work closely with education staff and other health professionals to make sure that your child's postural and physical needs are being well supported both in school and at home.

Neonatal Physiotherapy:

We offer a physiotherapy service as part of our universal offer to patients on Chesterfield Royal Hospital Neonatal unit who meet our referral criteria. Our specialist physiotherapists form part of the developmental multidisciplinary ward round within inpatient Neonates. Our therapists will complete an initial assessment and advice you on how to best support your child's development. Our therapists may provide you with ongoing support while you are on the unit.

Support with travel costs

If you have been referred to Children’s Physiotherapy Service by a healthcare professional and feel you need assistance to support travel costs, you may be eligible for support under the healthcare travel cost scheme.

Referral Information:

Within Children’s Physiotherapy we have two specialist areas: Musculoskeletal (MSK) and Neurology.

Paediatric physiotherapy referrals will only be accepted from health professionals i.e. Consultants, GPs, AHPs, Health Visitors and School Doctors.

Referrals to Children’s Physiotherapy services must be:

For children and young people aged 0-18
Registered with a North Derbyshire GP
With consent from the person with parental responsibility and/or the young person where appropriate.

The following Information sheets may help you to decide if a referral is appropriate.

Referral information and guidelines for children with lower limb posture and gait concerns

Referral information and guidelines for gross motor milestones development

All referrals are triaged and allocated to the most appropriate team based on the information provided Please provide as much detail as possible to allocate to the correct speciality. To avoid extended waiting times please ensure the referral is sent to the correct department:

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy:

This service is for children and young people who are able to attend an outpatient setting. Physiotherapists specialise in treating acute injuries, joint pains and conditions which affect growing bones and muscles.

To access this service please send all MSK referrals to crhft.therapyadmin@nhs.net

Alternatively referrals can be sent to Suite 5, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield, S44 5BL.

Neurology Physiotherapy:

This service is for children and young people and may be seen in the outpatient setting, or benefit from accessing our community service. Physiotherapists specialise in supporting children who have challenges developing their gross motor skills, coordination, mobility and may present with changes to their muscle tone due to a neurological condition.

To access this service please send all Neurology referrals to crhft.childrens.therapies@nhs.net

Alternatively referrals can be sent to: Children’s Physiotherapy, 1st Floor, The Den, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield, S44 5BL

If your child is over the age of 6 years and having difficulties with balance and coordination please see our Developmental Coordination Disorder information

Should you wish to discuss any referrals please contact telephone 01246 514586