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Paediatric Community Physiotherapy

 

The Children’s Community Physiotherapy Service are a neurology and developmental specific service.

Please see the following link for guidance to other Paediatric Physiotherapy Referrals


Referral:

  • The service is for children (age 0 - 18 years if in full time education) presenting with atypical development and disability residing in the RCHT catchment area.
     
  • Children living at home addresses with the following postcodes should be referred to Plymouth via Emma Mees, Therapies Lead, Plymouth CDC, Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road, (EX22, EX23, PL10 to PL18)
     
  • Refer direct to Community Physiotherapy (RCHT) or via this form 
     
  • Referrals must be from a health or education professional who knows the child or young person and not be based on diagnosis or parental concern.
     
  • All referrals will be carefully considered based on the information supplied in the referral and should meet criteria as specified below.

If you would like to refer a child, please email: jane.jackson29@nhs.net


Referral Criteria:

  • Children with Neurological or Developmental conditions including significant motor developmental delay.                           
    (This does not include children with conditions such as ASD unless there is significant motor impairment or delay).
     
  • Children with a medical condition that results in the main presenting problem being developmental delay.                          
    (This does not include conditions that present with pain / functional impairment e.g. Hypermobility, osteogenesis imperfecta, Achondroplasia).
     
  • Children needing intensive rehab in the community e.g. Post amputation, Burns, Acquired Brain Injury, post meningitis.
    (Likely to have been referred by specialist teams but GP referral will be accepted).
     
  • Non GP referral: Children who need community follow-up following other specialist physiotherapist assessment for education /training to parents / carers / teachers or to implement a treatment plan as defined by that specialist physiotherapist who is responsible for making referral.


Complex neuro-disability- It is expected that these children are already known to the Multidisciplinary team of OTs, SALTS, Physiotherapist and Community Paediatrics or other specialist services.Discussion with lead clinician or therapist is always welcomed


Generalised developmental delay:Referrals for children and young people with generalised developmental delay will only be accepted if their physical and motor needs are significantly impacting on their daily living activities and they meet the criteria above.


Exclusions: Any child (with or without a diagnosis) who does not have a demonstrated developmental delay and/or functional deficit. When a child is managing activities of daily living regardless of their diagnosis and difficulties, they do not need a physiotherapy assessment.

  • RCHT Community Physiotherapists do not undertake dyspraxia/DCD assessments. Please see OT service for this. 
     
  • RCHT Community Physiotherapists do not assess or manage paediatric specific orthopaedic conditions. [Click here to view Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Guidelines]
     
  • RCHT Community Physiotherapists do not undertake Environmental assessments. This is the remit of the Local Authority OT teams.
     
  • RCHT Community Physiotherapists do not undertake assessments or management of ME /Chronic fatigue or Long Covid unless negotiated directly by CFS team. [Click here to view CFS Guidelines]
     
  • RCHT Community Physiotherapists do not support exercise management plans for children who are considered overweight. [Click here to view Obesity Guidelines]
     
  • RCHT Community Physiotherapists do not see Children with Join Pain and suspected symptomatic hypermobility. Consider referral to the Paediatric Rheumatology special interest clinic. [Click here to view Joint Pain and Hypermobility Guidelines]
     
  • Splint renewal or other orthotics should be discussed directly with child’s own OT or physiotherapist rather than using the referral system. Orthotic advice can be accessed also throughcornwallorthotics@nhs.net
     
  • Wheelchair assessment/provision should be discussed directly with child’s own OT or physiotherapist. Or contact Wheelchair Service: https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/wheelchair-service/