Appointments

with Children's Integrated Therapy Services

Waiting for your first appointment

One of our admin team will contact you by letter or telephone to offer an appointment. This will be a remote appointment either by telephone or video call in the majority of cases. The appointment will last about 45 minutes so please make sure you are prepared and comfortable. Here are some video call tips:

  • make sure you have a quiet space where you can talk openly and freely
  • remove any distractions that might interrupt the session
  • find seating that works for you and your child
  • make sure your computer camera and sound work and check you have the meeting link
  • help your child choose a toy or similar to share with the therapist
  • if the therapist has sent you any resources or checklists make sure you have looked through these before the session

We find some children are more ready to engage in video appointments than others. We hope they will be able to join in for part of the appointment, but if they don’t want to that’s OK too. We might ask you to send in some videos of them taking part in some specific tasks after the appointment.

If there is a reason a remote assessment is not possible please contact our Therapy One Point on 0300 123 2650 as soon as possible and we will look at an alternative method of completing this appointment.

When first being referred to our services

Physiotherapy

We will explore your main concerns regarding mobility, pain, and how your child is able to complete day to day tasks. Before the appointment please think about any physical, functional or mobility issues that are arising for your child when they do day to day tasks as home and school. Please have this and any other information you want to share about your child’s medical or education needs to hand during the appointment.

Our aim is to teach children, young people and their families/carers about their child’s condition and to advise on therapeutic activities, to either maintain or to develop skills.  We strive to place children and young people at the centre of planning for therapeutic intervention and ensure that they can make choices about their physiotherapy goals and intervention.

Occupational therapy/physiotherapy

We will explore how your child is able to do day to day tasks. Before the appointment please think about any physical, functional, mobility or sensory issues that are arising for your child when they do day to day tasks as home and school. Please have this and any other information you want to share about your child’s medical or education needs to hand during the appointment.

Speech and language therapy

For the first appointment, we will conduct a telephone call with you to gather more information about your child's speech, language and general development. We will discuss how any speech and language difficulties may be impacting on your child's day to day life, as well as going through any relevant medical or educational information. Please have this information at hand to discuss during the appointment.

Multi-disciplinary clinics

Our occupational therapist and physiotherapists run multi-disciplinary diagnostic clinics for developmental co-ordination disorder from our clinic bases.

Our speech and language therapists also carry out the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule/ Brief Observation of Symptoms for Autism within multi-disciplinary diagnostic clinics for autism. These clinics are led by Community Paediatrics, part of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. You can find out more about these clinics here:

https://www.esht.nhs.uk/service/community-paediatrics/

Orthotics

We use orthotics to:

  • Maintain range of movement and/or posture
  • Reduce the energy required when walking
  • Provide balance and stability when walking
  • Improve function
  • Reduce pain and help to prevent contractures

How to get an appointment

You must have a written referral from your child's Physiotherapist to access an orthotics assessment. If your child is not known to Physiotherapy then you can ask for a referral to Podiatry from your GP.

Before your appointment

We will send you an appointment by post. Please bring any orthotic devices your child has previously been provided with.

During your appointment

Your child's appointment will be with one of the Physiotherapy team, along with an Orthotist from John Florence Ltd.

The Orthotists are qualified professionals responsible for the assessment, prescription, design, manufacture and fitting of orthoses.

Appointments are generally between 20 and 40 minutes but may be longer.

We support student training. If a student would like to join the appointment we will always ask your permission.

After your appointment

We will either book your child into a follow up appointment for the orthotic device to be checked, or someone from the Physiotherapy team may see them to for the fitting.

The Orthotist will give you and your child guidance on the orthosis and how to look after it.

We will arrange a review of the orthosis as and when it is needed.

Your Orthotist may liaise with the person who referred your child, to let them know how they are progressing.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call TOP on 0300 123 2650, or contact your Physiotherapist directly for concerns with current orthotic provision.

Serial casting

What is serial casting?

Serial casting is the provision and use of a number of casts that are worn on the limb. The casts are changed weekly, and the number of casts required will vary depending on your child’s needs.

What we use serial casting for

We use serial casting to:

  • Increase or maintain range of movement
  • Improve function
  • Reduce pain and help to prevent contractures
  • As a post Botox treatment
  • Increase compliance with orthotics.

 

Who needs serial casting?

There is a specific group of children for whom serial casting is beneficial. If your physiotherapist thinks that serial casting would improve your child’s function then they will discuss this with you.

Before your appointments

We will send you an appointment by post. Please bring a pair of baggy trousers or shorts, along with a pair of thick socks to put over the cast once finished.

Although serial casting does not cause any pain, it can be an unsettling experience, especially for younger children. It may be helpful to bring a toy or music that your child likes to help them stay still.

During your appointment

Your child's appointment will be with two members of the Physiotherapy team. Appointments are generally between 40 to 60 minutes but may be longer for multiple casts.

We support student training. If a student would like to join the appointment we will always ask your permission.

After your appointment

If you have any concerns while your child is in cast, please contact your treating physiotherapist directly. If you have concerns regarding your child’s cast outside working hours please go to A&E where the cast can be removed. We will give you documentation regarding this at your initial appointment.

Your child’s next casting appointment will be confirmed at the appointment.

Your child can continue with their day to day activities while wearing their cast(s), although they will need to keep the cast dry, therefore they will be unable to take part in water based activities. Your physiotherapist will be able to advise you on methods to keep the cast dry during personal care.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call TOP [link], or contact your Physiotherapist directly for concerns with serial casting provision.

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Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

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