About Our Service
Our infant physiotherapy services provide specialist care for babies from approximately two weeks after discharge until they begin walking. We have a multidisciplinary team to include orthopaedic and neurodevelopmental physiotherapists who work together to assess, treat and monitor babies with movement, posture or developmental concerns.
Email: physio@coombe.ie
Indications For Referral
What To Expect
First appointment: A full assessment of your baby’s movement, posture and development.
Home programme: We’ll give you exercises and tips to help support your baby at home.
Follow up visits: To monitor your baby’s progress and adapt the home programme as necessary.
The Bayley Assessment (Bayley Scale Of Infant & Toddler Development)
This is a set of gentle, play-based activities that help us understand how your baby is developing. It looks at how your baby thinks, moves, talks and plays for their age. It is especially helpful for premature babies or those with medical conditions that might affect development. There is no ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ results, it simply shows your baby’s strengths an where they may need some extra help.
Some babies will be referred to our team before discharge from the hospital, or from subsequent appointments with the wider team.
If you have concerns about your baby’s movement or development at any stage, speak to your GP, consultant, midwife or public health about a referral.
STRIVE Project
We are proud to be involve in the STRIVE Project with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
This is for preterm babies at a higher risk of cerebral palsy. It helps us to track milestones, with the aim of identifying cerebral palsy early so we can offer the right support.
This Project Is Suitable For:
All preterm infants born ≤32 weeks gestation.
≤ 1500gr birth weight.
All encephalopathic infants.
Neurological risk factors (injury, malformation on neuroimaging, persistent abnormal neurological exam).
Born in The Coombe Hospital or Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise where the consultant paediatrician plans to carry out all developmental check at The Coombe Hospital.
What Is Involved?
An initial assessment on the NICU.
A follow up physiotherapy assessment at 3-4 months.
A second follow up physiotherapy assessment at 9-12 months.
A final 2 year check which includes the ‘Bayley Assessment’ takes place at 22-26 months.
If required, your baby will be referred to your local service for ongoing therapies.
How Do I Get Involved?
Participation is optional. The neonatal team will discuss it with you before your baby is discharged from the NICU.
Videos for Newborn Care
Tummy Time
In this video we discuss tummy time and how to do it with your baby.
You can start tummy time from the day your baby is born.
Plagiocephaly (Flat Head)
This video is designed to give you tips to prevent your baby developing plagiocephaly, also known as ‘flat head’.
More Physiotherapy Services
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Physiotherapy Pregnancy Care
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Physiotherapy Newborn Care
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Physiotherapy Postnatal Care
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Physiotherapy Women’s Health
Departments & Services
Help & Support
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Appointments:
All appointments can be directed through Hospital reception: 01 408 5200, 24 hours a day -
Health Insurance:
We operate a direct payment scheme with VHI, Laya Healthcare, Irish Life Health, Garda Medical Aid, ESB, Medical Provident Fund, and Prison Officers Medical Aid. If you are covered by any of these insurers, the relevant insurance forms are signed electronically on your admission to hospital.
Fees:
For more information on Fees - visit our Hospital Charges page -
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The Resource Page:
Browse our collection of patient resources, brochures, and information leaflets—all in one place. Downloadable and easy to access, these documents cover everything from appointments and procedures to maternity, newborn care, and more.
Contact Us
Tel: 01 408 5200
Find Us
The Coombe Hospital
Switchboard:
Location:
Cork St, Dublin, D08 XW7X