We take referrals from rehabilitation doctors, paediatricians, neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons and GPs. Often the patient will have had other treatments for their arms such as botulinum toxin injections and most will already have had physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Most children referred to us will see Joanna Burdon first for an occupational therapy assessment, which involves examination of arm joint positions and movement. Joanna will also assess how the patient uses their arm by asking them to do tasks. At this appointment the patient and their family are asked if there are any specific goals that they would like to achieve and we consider this in their treatment plan.
After this assessment the patient is booked into a dedicated children’s clinic where the consultant Catherine Hernon, occupational therapist Joanna Burdon and Physiotherapist Helen Neal see the patients together and treatment is planned.
We also have a dedicated adult clinic where we see patients together but some adult patients are seen in one of Catherine Hernon’s hand clinics.