Overview
Paediatric respiratory physiotherapists provide assessment and treatment for children and young people with a wide variety of acute, chronic, and complex respiratory conditions.
This is provided to inpatients within the hospital but also with outpatients and within the community setting.
Respiratory physiotherapy can assist in secretion management to maintain clear airways, can improve lung volumes, enhance patient’s cough, and can also help with breathing pattern disorders.
Treatments can involve:
- Airway clearance techniques
- Breathing exercises
- Provision of respiratory physiotherapy devices, as well as nebulisers and suction units
- Posture and positioning advice to improve lung health
- Advice around exercise and physical activity
- Liaison with parents and carers on overall management e.g. carrying out chest physiotherapy at home or school, education on how to recognise early signs of respiratory distress etc.
