Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

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Yes

Physiotherapy Department

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Physiotherapists are experts in how bodies move and develop. Paediatric physiotherapy is the diagnosis, treatment and management of children and young people, focusing on physical function, ability and wellbeing. Physiotherapists treat babies, children and young people from birth to 18 years or school leaving age, using a range of specialist skills and techniques to educate, support, exercise and guide recovery from injury or disease. Physiotherapists also help patients rehabilitate or improve their normal development and how their body functions and moves. The physiotherapy department comprises many teams who meet patients in the hospital, clinics, community, or sometimes in schools.

Physio gym

Requesting Help from Physiotherapy

The Children and Young People’s Physiotherapy service see babies, children and young people in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, as well as in clinics and other community settings in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian.  There are various ways in which support may be offered, including:

  • Reassurance, support and advice
  • Signposting to other services, community resources and groups
  • Assessment and specific advice or intervention if required

(Please note that physiotherapy is most effective when parents and carers include any advice or intervention into the child’s daily routine.)

Before getting in touch or requesting assistance from physiotherapy, it might be useful to have a look at our leaflets with advice about some of the most common concerns. Look further down this page for this information.

Getting in touch

Parents/carers and any professional involved (with consent from the parent/carer) can get in touch to discuss concerns about a baby, child or young person through our Physiotherapy Helpline.  Please ensure that you use the number for your locality, and the specific area of concern.

For concerns about movement skills or development please contact:

For concerns about muscles and bones, joint pain or recent injury:

  • Edinburgh, East and West Lothian (RHCYP Physio Team)   : 0131 312 1079
  • West Lothian (St John’s Hospital Physio Team): 01506 522 068
    (Monday – Friday from 8.30am-4.30pm)

You can download our Physiotherapy Helpline Guide here.

Help for Professionals

Help for Professionals

Any professional working with families, including health care professionals, teachers, early years staff or social workers can request help from Physiotherapy (with the parent/carer’s consent).  This should be done using our ‘Request for Assistance’ form.

Please review the guidance document and if required phone our Helpline for further information before completing a Request for Assistance.

Guidance for Completing the Request for Assistance Form

Request for Assistance Form

Other Useful Contacts
To rearrange or cancel an existing appointment, please contact the number on your initial appointment letter.  If this is not available, or for general enquiries please contact the main children’s physiotherapy reception: O131 3121079

For issues related to children’s orthotics (e.g. ankle foot orthotic (AFO) splints) please contact the Orthotics Service directly: 0131 5379418

For issues related to wheelchairs please contact the Wheelchairs Service directly: 0131 5379177

Orthopaedics Department

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The Orthopaedics team looks after children and young people with injuries or conditions affecting their muscles and bones. Edinburgh Children’s Orthopaedics (ECO) is a highly specialised team of orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, orthopaedic practitioners and nurses looking after children across the southeast of Scotland.

By bringing together high quality, family-centred, compassionate clinical care, research and training, we aim to help children and young people’s bodies move and function normally and minimise musculoskeletal-driven pain.

Ophthalmology Department

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The ophthalmology team works together to look after children and young people with a wide variety of conditions affecting their eyes and vision.  The team includes orthoptists, optometrists and paediatric ophthalmologists.

Ophthalmology doctor

We see children at the RHCYP in Edinburgh, the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh or at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston.  Please check your appointment letter carefully to make sure you come to the right place!

Occupational Therapy Department

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Occupational therapy helps people to participate in daily life to improve their health and wellbeing.   Occupational therapy can help babies, infants, children, and young people learn, have fun, socialise and play so they can develop, thrive and reach their full potential.

Daily life is made up of many activities. Occupational Therapists call these “occupations”.  Occupations for children or young people might include:

  • Self-care such as getting dressed, eating a meal, using the toilet
  • Being productive, including early play, going to nursery & school
  • Leisure such as playing with friends or doing hobbies

Find out more about what Occupational Therapy Opens in new window is.

occupational therapy deparment hallway

Neurosciences Department

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Borthwick Ward

We look after children with problems affecting their brain, spine or nerves (also called neurological problems).

Paediatric neurosciences is a combined medical and surgical department that specialises in diagnosing and treating all the conditions affecting the brain and its connections.  Our specialists include doctors (neurologists and neurosurgeons), nurses (specialist nurses and nurses on our ward), neurophysiologists, specialist therapy team (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and play therapy), other specialists (psychologists and psychiatrists) and our dedicated admin team.

Patients might be treated in the Borthwick Ward at the RHCYP for inpatients, come to an outpatient clinic or visit the Neurophysiology department in the Borthwick ward for specialist tests. Some of our patients come from across Scotland to have epilepsy surgery.

Contact NHS Lothian