Physiotherapy

Cardio-respiratory - this team specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

This team is inpatient based and focuses on clearing secretions and reducing work of breathing. Treatment of ventilated children may involve repositioning to improve ventilation to certain areas of the lungs, provision of deep breaths via a specialised bag to help move secretions up the airways, chest vibrations to loosen the secretions and suctions via the breathing tube, to clear the secretions. Chest physiotherapy for children and young people on the ward may involve blowing games or provision of other devices to help clear secretions, such as an incentive spirometer. Treatment is also likely to involve mobility and time sitting out of bed, where appropriate.

Neurodevelopmental - this team is specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

This team is inpatient based and provides advice and activities to help children to progress towards their next developmental milestones. In cases where a new neurological illness is diagnosed, the physiotherapist will assess the physical impact of this illness and start early rehabilitation. This may involve positioning, movement-based games and exercises. The team also make contact with community physiotherapists and disability teams to arrange local follow-up as needed.

Haematology and Oncology - this team specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

The physiotherapists in this team see both inpatients and outpatients. They assess musculoskeletal health, provide education and design personal rehabilitation programmes in partnership with the child or adolescent with the aim of improving strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, bone health and symptoms of fatigue, as well as mood, and general health and development. They also help to minimise the risk of developing chest crises.

Orthopaedics - this team specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

• • Inpatients:
    • Post trauma or elective orthopaedic surgery
    • Inpatients requiring physiotherapy review e.g. for education, mobility aid or transfers/mobility assessment to facilitate same-day discharge home
    • Scoliosis/spinal surgery – including pre-operative assessment, muscle charting, post-operative respiratory physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and onward referral to local physiotherapy service as appropriate
    • Limb lengthening – including pre-operative assessment, post-operative rehabilitation and outpatient follow up
    • Complex musculoskeletal pain presentations
  • Outpatients:
    • Post trauma/elective orthopaedic surgery rehabilitation
    • Musculoskeletal pain (related to injury or growth and development)
    • Congenital Talipes Equinovarus, Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, Torticollis
    • Assessment & management of normal variants (in-toeing, out-toeing, flat feet)
    • Idiopathic toe walking
    • Hypermobility
    • Dermatological conditions
  • Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Triage:
    • Since 2008, the clinical specialist physiotherapists in this team have been providing a Triage Service. Children must be referred to this service, which involves completing an initial assessment, followed by commencement of appropriate management. In some instances, further investigations may be required, including x-ray, MRI, bloods, etc. In other cases, your child may require review by the orthopaedic consultant or other speciality, or may be discharged.
  • Trauma Assessment Clinic (TAC):
    • This is a safe and fast process for assessing your child’s injury and need for an Orthopaedic Fracture Clinic review.
    • The Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon will review your child’s x-ray images and Emergency Department notes, and will make a decision about your child’s need for a further examination.
    • You will be notified of the outcome via a telephone call by the physiotherapist who was present at TAC.

Complex Pain Service – this team specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

- Chronic Primary Musculoskeletal Pain

- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

- Chronic Widespread pain

- Chronic Primary Abdominal Pain

- Chronic Primary Headache

- Chronic Secondary Musculoskeletal Pain

- Chronic Post-Surgical Pain

- Chronic Post-Traumatic Pain

- Chronic Neuropathic Pain

This team offers physiotherapy to young people with complex pain as part of outpatient, multi-disciplinary, biopsychosocial rehabilitation. In order to access physiotherapy for complex pain, young people must be referred to the Complex Pain Service and have been assessed by the Pain Team.

Rheumatology - this team specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

The team sees inpatients (admitted for investigations, rehabilitation and management of new disease or flare of disease), outpatients (attending rheumatology clinic or the physiotherapy department), day patients (admitted for investigations or intra-articular steroid injections), and patients attending the allied health led rheumatology strength & wellness group.

Since 2019, the clinical specialist physiotherapists in this team have also been providing a Triage Service. Children must be referred to the Rheumatology service, to avail of this service; which involves completing an initial assessment, followed by commencement of appropriate treatment. In some instances, further investigations may be required, including x-ray, bloods, etc.

Cystic Fibrosis - this team specialises in the physiotherapy management of:

The team sees inpatients (during hospital admissions) and outpatients (attending CF clinics or at annual assessments). Treatment mainly consists of airway clearance to clear mucus from the child’s chest, exercise to promote a healthy lung function and strong bones and education for the child and their family to help them to self-manage at home.

Adolescent Mental Health – this team is inpatient based and specialises in the Physiotherapy management of:

This service is offered on a referral basis only, to adolescents admitted under Psychiatry.