Children's Physiotherapy at The Ipswich Hospital

When you come to see usWe are based in the East Suffolk ChildDevelopment Centre (ESCDC) next to theChildren’s Outpatient Department. Useentrance 2 (signed as ‘Entrance to SouthWards’) and follow signs to Bergholt Wardand then Children’s Outpatients / ESCDC.Your child may be seen in other locations inthe hospital, or at school, if appropriate.Please report to a member of staff onarrival. You may be asked to sit for a shorttime in our child-friendly waiting area. Weaim to keep any delays to a minimum.There are toilets within ESCDC. Pleaseask a member of staff if you require babychanging facilities or a quiet place tobreast-feed.A range of hot and cold food and drinksis available in the shop and cafe at theentrance to South Wards (entrance 2).The trust has a strict no smoking policy.Smoking is not permitted on any part ofthe hospital grounds.If you have any queries or comments aboutyour child’s physiotherapy care, pleasecontact:Mrs Christine HawleyTeam LeaderChildren’s PhysiotherapyThe Ipswich HospitalHeath RoadIpswichIP4 5PDTel: 01473 702185We aim to offer an excellentphysiotherapy service to you and yourchild. We welcome your comments andsuggestions.Information for children, parents and carersChildren’sPhysiotherapyat The IpswichHospitalIf you are unable to keep your child’sappointment, or you feel it is no longerneeded, please let us know immediatelyso that another child can benefit, andwe can keep our waiting list as short aspossible.Produced by:The Ipswich Hospital NHS TrustHeath Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 5PDDirect line: 01473 702185Fax: 01473 702180Hospital switchboard: 01473 712233www.ipswichhospital.nhs.ukDMI ref: 2410-07.indd(RP)Children’s PhysiotherapyDepartmentTel: 01473 702185Issue 1: October 2008© The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, 2008. All rightsreserved. Not to be reproduced in whole, or in part,without the permission of the copyright owner.

What is children’sphysiotherapy?A children’s physiotherapist is a fullyqualified, chartered physiotherapist(this means they have had at least threeyears’ training and have achieved thehigh standard required to become amember of the Chartered Society ofPhysiotherapy). They have then chosen tospecialise in working with children. Theyhave a specialist knowledge of children’sconditions, normal growth and physicaldevelopment, and the effect of these on achild’s wellbeing.They work with families to assess the child,discover both the child’s and their parentor carer’s concerns and goals, and developthe most suitable programme of treatmentfor each individual child.Treatment may come in the formof handling and positioning advice,development of a home exercise or homemanagement programme, a block ofhands-on therapy, exercise sessions – eitherone-to-one or in a group, or hydrotherapy.What will happen at yourappointment?• Your physiotherapist will ask somequestions about your child’s problemsand any concerns you may have.• He or she will explain what theyare going to do at all stages of theassessment or treatment and thereasons for it.• With your consent, the physiotherapistmay examine your child’s movement,joints, muscles etc. Your child may berequired to undress to their underwearor nappy if the assessment requires it.• Your child may need to be assessed in avariety of different positions through ahands-on approach.• Physiotherapy treatment may at timesbe tiring and/or uncomfortable foryour child, but we aim to make thetreatment enjoyable. We will treatyour child and family with dignity andrespect.• At the end of the assessment thephysiotherapist will explain what theyhave found and explain what treatmentthey recommend and why.Your child’s progress and treatment willbe reviewed as needed. We ask that youkeep us informed if your child’s conditionchanges significantly between reviews.Other information• An adult with parental responsibilityis expected to attend the firstappointment with their child.• Student physiotherapists may beworking in the department, fullysupervised by senior staff at all times.Your consent will always be sought inadvance if a student will be involved inyour child’s care.• Information will be recorded in thephysiotherapy records, used and storedin accordance with the Data ProtectionAct. The referrer will be kept informedof your child’s therapy and progress.Things to bring with you:Your appointment letterYour child’s personal health record(if they are pre-school age)A pair of shorts (if this is appropriatefor your child’s age and problem)Any useful medical information plus alist of any medicine your child takes.You and your child are free to expressany concerns or worries, say no, or askfor more information at any stage ofa physiotherapy appointment. This willnot affect your child’s future care in ourdepartment in any way.Ô