Physiotherapy

Who we are

Physiotherapy works with inpatients and outpatients at PCH to minimise the impact of a child’s medical condition to help them return home from hospital as soon as possible and to maximise their participation at home, school, and in the community.

Our department is part of PCH’s Allied Health services. 

Conditions we manage

Physiotherapy focuses on both prevention and rehabilitation.

We provide assessments, advice, education, and a range of interventions for babies through to young people including early intervention for developmental concerns, neurology, rehabilitation, respiratory, musculoskeletal, oncology, bladder or bowel issues and other complex illnesses.

Services we provide

We provide children, young people and their families with evidence-based physiotherapy treatments that are focussed on:

• minimising the effects of physical impairments
• maximising, or restoring functional mobility, physical activity and participation
• enhancing quality of life.

Inpatient physiotherapy interventions are directed at facilitating recovery and timely discharge home.

Physiotherapists work closely with the child and their carers to deliver individualised therapy and support to enhance their wellbeing, independence, and participation. This includes training and education to help carers understand and be part of their child’s physiotherapy.

Inpatients are seen on the ward or multipurpose therapy rooms between the wards.

Children are referred for outpatient physiotherapy services at PCH when these problems are complex and require services from a specialised hospital, and when the physiotherapy cannot be provided close to the child’s home.

Most of our outpatient services are provided in PCH’s Allied Health suite which has a range of spaces and equipment including:

• Therapy rooms
• Gymnasiums with access to high speed video for gait (walking and running) assessments
• Hydrotherapy complex.

We also provide services in other areas of the hospital, such as outpatient clinics in clinics B and C, and the splinting room in the plastics outpatient clinic.

Additionally, we provide a consultative service to primary care providers in rural and community services to help them provide physiotherapy services to children closer to the child’s home.

How to refer

Referrals for physiotherapy at PCH can only be made internally by doctors at PCH and by a small group of external specialist doctors who have approved referral rights to the hospital.

All Specialist Rooms, GP’s and WACHS referrers are being advised to direct all referrals towards the relevant medical PCH outpatient services via the Central Referral Service.