Paediatric physiotherapists help babies, children and young people improve their movement, strength and physical development. This includes children of all ages, from premature babies through to teenagers.
Paediatric physiotherapists support children, along with their parents or carers, to help them reach their full potential. They may assess the child, provide treatment, and give advice on how to support their development.
Where to find us
This service is provided in a range of settings, including:
- Child development centres
- Outpatient clinics
- Special schools, nursery schools and mainstream schools
- Child’s own home
- Neonatal unit Antrim Area Hospital
- Paediatric wards in Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital
How to contact us
Central Booking Office
To change or cancel an appointment already booked, call our Central Booking Office.
- Telephone: 028 2766 0328
Antrim Child Development Centre
- Telephone: 028 9441 5725
Ballymena Health and Care Centre
- Telephone: 028 2563 5310
Ballymoney Child Development Centre
- Telephone: 028 2766 0336
Mid Ulster Hospital
- Telephone: 028 7936 6804
Whiteabbey Hospital
- Telephone: 028 9055 2279
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm
How to access this service
To use this service, you need a referral from a healthcare professional. We accept referrals from:
- A hospital doctor (consultant or registrar)
- A community paediatrician
- A GP (family doctor)
- A health visitor
- A speech and language therapist or occupational therapist
- A community children’s nurse
If you are not sure whether your child needs a referral, you can contact your local paediatric physiotherapy team for advice using the contact numbers above.
A physiotherapist will be happy to answer your questions, explain how the service works and provide helpful information or leaflets.
Useful resources
Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists
Physiotherapy for children
Awake times
Tummy time ideas
Lying to sitting
Babies who bottom shuffle
Baby walkers
Positional Talipes
Head turning preference and plagiocephaly
Intoeing gait
Flat feet
Postural management
Standing frames
Understanding transition – young people
Physical activity
Physical activity guidelines: Children and young people
Physical activity guidelines for children and young people with a disability
Physical activity for early years (0 to 5)
Disability Sport NI
Condition-specific advice
APCP Parent and carer leaflet: Baby with Down Syndrome
Sense: Introductory guide to cerebral palsy
Action Cerebral Palsy
APCP Spina bifida in children (leaflet)
Muscular Dystrophy UK – Together we are stronger
APCP – Hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorder
Other resources
TinyLife – Northern Ireland’s Premature and Vulnerable Baby Charity
Ei SMART – Resources