Physiotherapy

The Children’s Physiotherapy Team provide a child centered service to children who are registered with a Newham GP, under the age of 16, and who have a physical disability, condition or concern that impacts on their development and functional daily activities at home or in school. Sometimes only one appointment is needed and sometimes we are involved with the child until adulthood.

A children’s physiotherapist has an understanding of:

• child development
• childhood diseases and conditions that may impact on development and well being
• therapeutic interventions that enable and optimise development and well being
• the need to place the child at the centre of planning
• the impact that having a sick or disabled child has on family life
• how to keep children safe
• how to ensure that children and young people make choices
• how to develop their own skills and practice
• how to develop services in line with Government guidance committed to improving quality and life chances for children

What we do?

We assess and treat to promote independence and help every child achieve their physical potential. We see children in clinic, in their homes, at schools/nurseries and children’s centres depending on the needs of the child and family.

Our treatment is based upon an assessment of the child’s needs. This may include:

• advice, reassurance and recommendations
• personalised activity or exercise programmes
• positioning and handling
• providing specialist equipment
• serial casting
• referrals to other Professionals

Who do we see?

We see children who are registered with a Newham GP and aged up to 16 years old. There are many children who may benefit from physiotherapy with a huge range of problems or conditions.

The most common conditions we treat are:

• Neurological conditions e.g. cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury
• Neuromuscular conditions e.g. muscular dystrophy
• Syndromes and metabolic diseases e.g. Down syndrome
• Congenital abnormalities e.g. talipes, torticollis, spina bifida
• Delayed movement skills e.g. rolling, sitting, walking
• Concerns with walking or posture
• Rehabilitation following hospital admission trauma or surgery
• Rheumatological conditions e.g. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
• Developmental co-ordination difficulties
• Musculoskeletal concerns e.g. knee pain. Children over ten will be forwarded to the Adult Musculoskeletal Team.

How to access the service 

Parents, Guardians, GPs, Schools and other Healthcare Professionals can refer to the Children’s Physiotherapy Service. We have a standard referral form (Child Development Service and Therapies Referral Form) which enables you to provide us with the information we need to decide how it is best to help the child/ young person. These referrals can be posted or emailed directly to our Service (newhamcds@nhs.net or children.physiotherapy@nhs.net). Once a referral is received, an experienced qualified Physiotherapist, will read the referral and decide whether the referral will be accepted or not.