Transition Pediatric Physiotherapy Clinic
May 05, 2023
In 2020 a quality improvement initiative was undertaken to evaluate pediatric physiotherapy services offered at the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA), as well as services available in Huron and Perth counties.
Through this work, gaps were identified in access to physiotherapy services for people aged 18 years and younger. Disruption of care for patients transferred to our hospital from tertiary hospitals, insufficient access to physiotherapy care for pediatric patients admitted to hospital and barriers and delays for outpatients were identified.
The HPHA team collaborated with community partners, pediatricians, patient partners and our Maternal Child Unit to create the Transition Pediatric Physiotherapy Clinic. Kelli Shiedel, a very experienced pediatric physiotherapist, was recruited to bring this clinic to life.
This clinic supports pediatric patients with acute physiotherapy needs by providing timely, accessible, patient-centred, efficient and equitable access to care as they transition from other centres and into their local community.
Kelli and the Physiotherapy team support patients admitted to hospital, as well as those from the community who require urgent access to physiotherapy services. Kelli assists patients through their acute care needs and coordinates access to their long-term community based physiotherapy. This work has had a significant impact on the lives of patients and their families with numerous success stories.
Families comment that they feel safe and supported through their transitions, and feel less alone as they are battling significant concerns regarding their child’s development. Kelli’s extraordinary work is just one example of the amazing work that Physiotherapists at HPHA do every day.
Kelli Shiedel, Physiotherapist
Did you know that May is National Physiotherapy Month? It's a chance for us to celebrate our amazing Physiotherapy Team! The work of this team matters and #PhysiotherapyMatters. We wish to thank our Physiotherapy team for all they to do help improve the quality of life for our patients!