Information for GPs and health professionals

Our paediatric musculoskeletal physiotherapists work with the adult musculoskeletal team

Many of our therapists are members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists.

We work out of Homerton University Hospital and our clinics are split between Starlight children’s outpatients (new-born to 5 years old), and the main physiotherapy outpatient department (6 to 16 years old).

We are also involved in the rheumatology clinics with one of our paediatricians.

Referrals
We accept consultant referrals from patients who live in Hackney and have a City and Hackney GP. We accept GP referrals from City and Hackney only.

Making a referral
Appointments and referrals can be made by you or your GP via The Electronic Referral Service (e-RS). This is Homerton's preferred method of receiving referrals. Please search under ‘Physiotherapy’ and ‘Musculoskeletal’ to find the Paediatric Musculoskeletal service.

Alternatively you can use this Paediatric Musculoskeletal Referral Form.

For children with neurological conditions, gross motor developmental delay or needing community input, make all referrals through Hackney Ark.

To speak to one of our staff, call 020 8510 7835 or email huh-tr.paediatricmskphysiotherapy@nhs.net

Physiotherapy treatment
Our physiotherapy treatment can include:

  • education, advice and reassurance
  • home exercise programmes
  • manual therapy and exercises
  • other onward referrals including; foot health services/orthotics and CAHMS

Some of the common conditions we assess and treat in our clinics:

Under 5's

  • positional talipes
  • congenital talipes – managed with Ponseti casting at Royal London Hospital
  • torticollis and plagiocephaly
  • gait abnormalities (in-toeing/out-toeing)
  • obstetric brachial plexus palsy
  • symptomatic hypermobility
  • general aches and pains
  • mild motor developmental delay due to musculoskeletal weakness

Over 5's

  • general joint or muscular aches and pains
  • ligamentous, muscular or bone injurygGrowth related MSK pain and disorders
  • symptomatic hypermobility
  • post orthopaedic surgery
  • other rheumatology conditions such as JIA