For parents and guardians

Staying in hospital
If your child is due to stay in hospital on Starlight ward, they may need physiotherapy after their surgery or injury.
We can find out what is causing your child’s symptoms and offer exercises or advice to help them get well soon.

Physiotherapy outpatients
Your child’s first appointment will be in our starlight or therapy clinics. In our therapy department we also have a gym which we might take your child to if they want.

Before you come
Bring a t-shirt, shorts and trainers for your child to wear during their physiotherapy. This will help us assess how they move. You don’t need to bring these for newborns and infants. The older children can ask a family member to be present if they want.

At the appointment
During the appointment, if your child is old enough, we will ask:

• why they came to physiotherapy
• what they like to do in their spare time

This will help us know more about your child and the ways we can help them. You can help your child answer the questions if they’re not sure. We will also assess your child which may involve things like:

• looking at and moving your child’s bones and joints
• finding out how strong they are
• testing their balance
• looking at how they walk, run, jump and hop

After the appointment
After the appointment we will tell you whether your child needs to come back for more physiotherapy and book their next appointment. If they don’t need any more physiotherapy we will discharge or refer your child to another service that can help them.