Physical health Service Details

The Children's Respiratory Physiotherapy team see children and young people with respiratory conditions, many of whom have complex physical and neurological health conditions. This may include:

• Recurrent chest infections
• Poor cough / respiratory function
• Secretion retention
• Palliative care
• Acute and Chronic lung conditions e.g. Bronchiectasis
• Scoliosis / Ribcage deformity
• Long term ventilated / tracheostomies
• Cerebral Palsy
• Neuro disability e.g. Muscular Dystrophy
• Other genetic abnormalities
• Syndromes e.g. Down's Syndrome
• Global Developmental Delay
• Ex prem infants

A Respiratory Physiotherapist helps look after the lungs. Respiratory Physiotherapy helps children and young people to clear secretions and keep the lungs as healthy as possible.

The benefits of respiratory physiotherapy include:

• Support children and young people, families and carers to manage respiratory health such as
• Secretion clearance
• Improve ventilation
• Prevent / delay progression of respiratory disease
• Respiratory health optimised
• Training and education: empowered to manage own condition
• Managed at home / in the community
• Prevent hospital admission
• Reduce antibiotic use
• Improve quality of life
• Attend school, participate in social & family activities
• Tailored advice, management, maintenance and training on respiratory medical devices and equipment.
• Ongoing review of CYP respiratory health needs

We facilitate care in the community to reduce hospital admissions, promote school attendance and social activities. We see children and young people in special schools, nursery, homes, respite centres, mainstream schools and in reach into University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW).

We collaborate with wider Multidisciplinary team's from health (Children's community nursing team, special school nurses, PT, OT and SLT), education and social care.

Once the child or young person has been referred, a respiratory physiotherapist will do an assessment, and treatment will be carried out depending on the needs. This may be weekly or monthly depending on how much Physiotherapy is needed. Respiratory Physiotherapy will stop once your child is getting better, able to cough and clear secretions and move around as they do normally.

There several different techniques used to help clear secretions and keep the lungs full of air and as healthy as possible. The Respiratory Physiotherapist will work closely with families, carers, and other professionals to ensure the treatment programme is specific to meet the CYP needs and their current goals. Physiotherapy treatment may involve:

• Assessment and development of child specific treatment plans and teaching packages.
• Airway clearance assessment and treatment such as positioning, hands-on techniques e.g. percussion, breathing exercises, blowing games, respiratory medical devices and equipment for example cough assist, vest, suction machine, acapella.
• Exercise therapy
• Inhalation therapy e.g. nebulisers, inhalers
• Postural care advice
• Support and advice on adherence with treatment.
• Education, training and preventative management for children, young people, families and carers.

Some children benefit from a programme for nursery/school or advice around activities within PE lessons.

All qualified Physiotherapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

We are dedicated to supporting the education of students. As part of this commitment, students may be involved in the care of children and young people. You will be informed of any such involvement.