Acute physiotherapy

The acute team consists of seven physiotherapists and one physiotherapy assistant. 

Inpatients

Children may be assessed and treated on the children’s wards (Neptune, Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter and Apollo HDU). We commonly see children with respiratory conditions, neurological disorders and orthopaedic problems, both traumatic and elective. Inpatient therapy cover is also provided on the children’s wards (Starlight and Sunshine) at West Middlesex Hospital. 

There is an emergency on-call service available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, for children with acute respiratory difficulties. In addition, there is weekend provision for children with high level respiratory and orthopaedic needs.  

Children who have to be in the hospital for a long time due to medical needs are monitored for their developmental progress and advice and treatment is given where needed. We also see any babies requiring physiotherapy on the postnatal wards and the Neonatal Unit. We are part of the team providing neonatal follow-up in the 7-star clinic for premature babies.

Musculoskeletal outpatients

Children aged 0–16 years with soft tissue injuries, non-specific pain and post-fracture are treated as outpatients in our designated treatment rooms or gym. Inpatients also have access to these areas as needed.

We regularly assess and treat moulding conditions (eg plagiocephaly, torticollis and positional talipes), working closely with the craniofacial department and orthopaedic team.

How to access this service

Referrals are accepted from GPs within the areas of Hammersmith and Fulham, South Kensington and Chelsea and South Westminster.

• South Kensington and Chelsea: W8, W14, W10, SW10, SW7, SW5, SW3, NW10 5XX
• Hammersmith & Fulham: SW6, W6, W12
• South Westminster: SW1

We also accept referrals from consultants and other health, social and education professionals, providing the child is registered to a GP within the postcodes above. Please send all referrals to Chelwestchildrens.physiotherapy@nhs.net and not via ERS. 

Information about your outpatient appointment  

Your initial appointment will last approximately 45–60 minutes, where your physiotherapist will take a full history and carry out an assessment. Please bring shorts and a vest to change into. You will be provided with a treatment plan and a home exercise programme. If a follow-up appointment is required, this will be arranged with you at the end of the assessment. If you need to cancel your appointment, in extenuating circumstances, please give the department as much notice as possible, so that appointments may be offered to other patients. This helps to keep our waiting times to a minimum.

Parents/carers must attend the first physiotherapy appointment with their child.

Did not attend policy

We ask that you let your physiotherapist know as soon as possible if you are unable to keep an appointment as the time can be used to see other children. If you do not attend an appointment without giving notice, your child may be discharged from our service in accordance with the Trust’s Did Not Attend policy.

Referrals

Please complete the referral form to refer to the Paediatric Physiotherapy Team (MSK and Community/Neuro)

Location

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Ground Floor (between Lift Banks C and D)