clinics
Skip to main content

Physiotherapy

We provide outpatient and inpatient assessment and consultation services for patients needing physiotherapy.
About

Physiotherapy is offered to inpatients and outpatients, and in other clinics at the hospital.

We provide preventive, diagnostic and rehabilitative services to enhance the quality of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological function in children. 

Our services are offered to children from birth to 19 years from BC and the Yukon.

Our physiotherapists engage both the patient and families in setting short and long-term goals. Our aim is to work in partnership with children and families to develop programs and treatment strategies that meet the individual physical function, mobility and fitness needs of each child. 


The physiotherapists at BC Children's are members of the health care team. The team approach allows professionals with expertise in a variety of areas to work together so that each child receives all the specialized care he or she needs. 


Physiotherapists receive their special training as part of a university degree program. The physiotherapists at Children's are member of the health care team. The team approach allows professionals with expertise in a variety of areas to work together so that each child receives all the specialized care he or she needs.

The College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC) is the regulator body established by the provincial government to protect the public by regulating the practice of physical therapy.

 
 

Inpatients

Physiotherapists work in acute care with children with complex, multi system conditions. They work closely with the child and family as well as members of the interprofessional team. The role of the physiotherapist varies depending on the program and the specific needs of the child. At BC Children’s hospital, physiotherapist may see patients in the following areas:

  • Orthopedics
  • Trauma/Burns
  • Neurology/Neurosurgery
  • General pediatrics
  • Cardiology/Cardiac surgery
  • Transplant
  • Respiratory
  • Oncology
  • Critical care
  • Neonatal intensive care

Inpatients may see a physiotherapist to assist with some or many of the following:

  • Gross motor function and general mobility
  • Breathing mechanics and airway clearance
  • Mobility, strength and endurance
  • Seating, assistive devices and mobility aids such as crutches and walkers
  • Discharge planning and liaising with community rehabilitation facilities and partners
  • Research
  • Teaching of students

Outpatients

We see patients with the following conditions:

  • Patients with acute or newly acquired, musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions
  • In-patients being discharged from BC Children’s Hospital who still require a few active treatment sessions and who live in Vancouver
  • Patients diagnosed with torticollis and who live in Vancouver or Burnaby. Hospitals outside of Vancouver or Burnaby do offer clinics for patients diagnosed with torticollis.
We assess the following common conditions:

  • In-toeing/out-toeing
  • Flat feet
  • Torticollis
  • Gross motor skill delay
  • Scoliosis

Other clinics we work in

Our physiotherapists work in many different clinics in the hospital. In these clinics, physiotherapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team to care for children and their families.

Cystic fibrosis 

Physiotherapists in the Cystic Fibrosis clinic help with the assessment, treatment and education of children with CF and their families. There are several physiotherapists who work in the out-patient CF clinic as well as on the inpatient wards when children are admitted to hospital. The primary role of the CF physiotherapist is to help maintain and encourage good lung health.

Home tracheostomy & ventilation

The HTV Clinic physiotherapist works with children and their families to maximize the respiratory health of children who require long term assisted ventilation – e.g. BiPAP or ventilator.

Clinic secretary 604-875-2729

Orthopedic cerebral palsy

The multidisciplinary clinic team at BC Children’s Orthopedic Cerebral Palsy Clinic strives to provide excellent care to children with cerebral palsy and similar neuromotor conditions. With expertise in assessment, surgical management, and post operative care, the Orthopedic Cerebral Palsy team is dedicated to providing individualized, family-centred treatment for each child. We are responsible for the assessment and treatment of your child’s bones and muscles. We will look at how your child moves, assess his or her abilities, and work to prevent and treat deformities of the spine and limbs. We collaborate with the child’s family, the community therapy team, and colleagues at Sunny Hill Health Centre, so we can provide comprehensive, coordinated orthopaedic management to improve the quality of life for children with Cerebral Palsy and similar neuromotor conditions.

Clinic physiotherapists 

Maria Juricic
Tel: 604-875-2345 ext 7274

Nandy Fajardo
Tel: 604-875-2345 ext 7267 

Hip surveillance coordinator 

Stacey Miller 
Tel: 604-875-2345 ext 4099
Fax: 604-875-2275


Resources

Alternative therapy sources

There are several other public physiotherapy resources available in BC if the child’s condition is not appropriate for BC Children’s Hospital Outpatient Physiotherapy services.

  • Early Childhood Intervention options:
  • For infants 0-5: There are multiple Infant Development Programs across the province that provide public therapy services.
  • Centre for Ability provides a variety of services for infants, toddlers and school aged children:
  • School aged children are entitled to therapy services through the School Aged Therapy Program if they have, or are suspected of having a developmental delay or disability, or who have a “demonstrated need” for services. Services can be accessed through your local school.  
  • The AT Home Program has an Extended School Age Therapy Program for children enrolled in the program. 
  • Children 0- 19 who have suffered an acquired brain injury and require acute rehabilitation can access the Centre for Ability – Community Brain Injury Program.
  • Rehab resources and also be found for fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, hearing and vision loss and others on the MCFD website.
  • For information on therapy resources for infants and children with aboriginal descent (see page 5/8)
  • List of private physiotherapists who specialize in pediatrics in BC: Note that these therapists are not in any way recommended by BC Children’s Hospital, but rather have submitted themselves as having an interest in as well as experience in pediatrics. Please contact the therapist of interest directly for any inquiries regarding qualifications/experience.
  • Private physiotherapists can also be found through the Find a physio function on the PABC website. 

Resources

Tab Heading
Tab Heading
SOURCE: Physiotherapy ( )
Page printed: . Unofficial document if printed. Please refer to SOURCE for latest information.

Copyright © BC Children's Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

    Copyright © 2024 Provincial Health Services Authority.