Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an integral part of the school day with input depending on the needs of the child.
The department consists of nine full and part-time staff (6.7 FTE qualified and 2 assistant staff), all employed by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. The physiotherapy department accept Band 5 and Band 6 physiotherapists on a yearly rotation to offer specialist training. We also offer clinical placements for physiotherapy students from the University of Ulster.
The multidisciplinary team are involved in a "Working with children with disabilities" module for Medical Students from Queens University.
Physiotherapy services are provided for all ages of children attending school and include:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group Therapy sessions
- Hydrotherapy
- Riding for the Disabled
- Fitness Suite
- 'Emergency' treatment - open access to physiotherapy should needs arise
- Classroom postural management in liaison with classroom staff
- Summer treatment
- Home visits
- Wheelchair assessment in liaison with the regional wheelchair service based at Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast
- Joint therapy sessions with Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy
- Close liaison with educational staff to encourage optimum use of functional abilities
Fleming Fulton School also hosts an appliance clinic twice weekly. This is run by an orthopaedic nursing sister and an orthotist for casting, fitting and supply of splints and supply of footwear, pushers etc.
Consultant led orthopaedic clinics are held monthly in the physiotherapy department and are attended by the multi-disciplinary team, as well as the child and his/her parents.
The ultimate goal of physiotherapy at FFS is to enable the child to gain and use his/her physical potential at home, school and beyond.