Vranch House

Vranch House School & Centre provides the only children's physiotherapy service in North Devon. This is a community based service, commissioned on behalf of North Devon by Exeter Primary Care Trust, and is based at Barnstaple Health Centre.

A number of physiotherapists make up the team aided by the invaluable help of an experienced Technical Instructor, Anne Barrett and Clerical Administrator, Val Haydon.

2011 brings changes to the team. Physiotherapist, Anna Veale, left the team in December 2010, to start Voluntary Work Overseas with her husband and three children. She has been part of our team for 10 years and will be missed by colleagues, children and families.

Kelly Leonard, experienced Children's Physiotherapist started with us in January this year. Kelly originally came to us as a college student interested in Physiotherapy as a career. She went on to train at the University of the West of England, in Bristol, coming to study with us as an undergraduate. On graduating, Kelly worked at Vranch House School for a year before moving to North Wales with her family. There she furthered her experience of working with children.

With Anna leaving, this gave Kelly an opportunity to return to North Devon, which she had always hoped to do. We welcome her back!

After 36 years of continuous service to Children and families in North Devon, Technical Assistant, Anne Barrett will be retiring at the end of March. Her dedication, compassion and companionship will be greatly missed by all she knew.

Val Haydon will also be leaving us after 12 years. Again she will be greatly missed, not just for her excellent skills keeping our office and administration in order, but as a loyal colleague and companion.
We are currently advertising to replace Anne and Val's post with one person. However, their act will be hard to follow. We wish them well in their new beginnings and hope it will give them more time to enjoy life in other ways.

Staff:

Assessment, treatment and management is provided for children aged
0 – 18 years in the community, with a variety of conditions such as:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Congenital abnormalities
• Postural and gait anomalies in the young child / infant
• Neuromuscular  disorders
• Developmental Co-ordination Disorder
• Developmental delay
• Referrals are taken for children via a medical route, such as G.P., Health Visitor, School Nurse / Doctor, Joint Agency Team and from Educational Psychologists.
• An in reach service also allows the North Devon Children's Physiotherapy Service to provide neurological assessment and treatment of babies and young children in North Devon District Hospital.

Due to the largely rural area of North Devon, treatment and advice for the children and their families / carers can be provided in a number of settings:
Outpatient clinics at Barnstaple Health Centre and Torrington.
Highfield House Child Development Centre.
Mainstream Nurseries, Infant, Junior and Secondary Schools.
Special Schools (Lampard Vachell and Pathfield School).
The home.

Where appropriate children have access to Hydrotherapy sessions held at Pathfield School. Weekly Orthotic Clinics and termly Wheelchair Service Clinics with Exeter Mobility Centre are also available.

The team is strongly committed to a multi-disciplinary approach, working closely with all professionals involved.

Children referred for assessment of a possible Developmental
Co-ordination Disorder are seen jointly with the Occupational Therapist.

Postural Management Training Workshops are provided for parents and carers. They are run jointly with the Paediatric Occupational Therapists, and have proved popular and successful.

At all times the children and families remain central and fully involved in any decision making regarding their management and care.

Contact us on 01271 341552 or at childrensphysio@ndevon.swest.nhs.uk