Paediatric Physiotherapy

Referrals

Paediatric Physiotherapists work with children and families to maximise independence and achieve the best physical function. The physiotherapists have expert knowledge in movement, development and conditions that are likely to affect a baby, growing child and adolescent.

About our Paediatric Physiotherapy service

The Paediatric (Children’s) Physiotherapy team are a group of specialist physiotherapists providing assessment and treatment to children and young people aged 0-19 years. Our physiotherapy service is divided into three teams.

1. Inpatient physiotherapy team working on the wards at the hospital including NICU and Hedgehog ward
2. Acute Outpatient Paediatric Physiotherapy team dealing with babies and MSK referrals working at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital
3. Community Paediatric Physiotherapy team dealing with long term conditions and SEND who cover the Luton and Central Bedfordshire areas (Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable)

The Acute Outpatient Paediatric Physiotherapy team treat children aged 0-14 years old referred via any local health care professional. The outpatient team provide assessment, treatment and management for babies and children referred with a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

We can help in a variety of ways with many conditions including talipes, Erb’s Palsy, torticollis, hypermobility, rheumatological conditions, MSK conditions, developmental variants such as intoe gait, acute injuries, and chronic pain.

The Community Paediatric Physiotherapy team provide assessment and treatment to children and young people aged 0-19 years with neurodevelopmental, long-standing health needs or SEND when out of hospital.

We assess children and young people with neurodevelopmental difficulties, long term conditions or SEND that:

• Physically affect the child’s everyday life and how they function
• Cause pain or discomfort
• Have led to a regression with their physical skills

To help you identify which physiotherapy service your patient requires – here are some common conditions we assess and treat:

Acute Paediatric Physiotherapy

• Hip, knee, ankle injury/pain
• Back or neck injury/pain
• Shoulder or arm injury/pain
• Gait abnormality – intoe, out toe
• Orthopaedic concerns – alignment of legs
• Erbs palsy
• Torticollis
• Talipes
• Hypermobility causing pain/affecting function
• Rheumatology conditions E.g. JIA
• Post surgery rehab
• Chronic pain

Community Paediatric Physiotherapy

• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Metabolic or mitochondrial conditions
• Developmental delay – not meeting gross motor milestones as expected
• Oncology when out of hospital
• Neurological conditions/concerns
• Balance/coordination concerns with SEND that affect everyday function
• Downs Syndrome with functional concerns
• Neuromuscular conditions
• Palliative care with gross motor concerns
• Post surgery rehab with SEND

Red flags at any age that require a referral:

• Strong parental concern
• Regression or loss of a physical skill
• Differences between right and left sides of the body/asymmetry
• Low tone or high tone that is affecting development
• Persistent joint/muscle pain, night pain or early morning stiffness

Contact Us

Inpatient and Outpatient Paediatric Therapy Team

Paediatric Physiotherapy Team
Therapy Hub, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Lewsey Road
Luton
LU4 0DZ

01582 718266

Acute Paediatric Physiotherapy team accept medical reports or letters as a referral emailed to: ldh-tr.therapiesreferrals@nhs.net.

In hospital referrals can be completed on ICE

Community Paediatric Therapy Team

Paediatric Physiotherapy Team
Redgrave Children and Young People’s Centre
Redgrave Gardens
Luton
LU3 3QN

01582 346000

Community team accept referrals from GP, Consultants, Health Visitors and School Nurses/SENCO’s
Please complete our referral form and email it to: ldh-tr.communitypaedsphysioreferrals@nhs.net.

We will only be accepting electronically sent referrals on the completed referral form.

Incomplete referral forms will be returned to sender.

Parents/carers will be sent a letter to contact the department when it is time to make an appointment.
Declined referrals will receive email advice with the reason for non-acceptance at this time.