Information for health professionals on how to refer patients to the gait laboratory service.
Who can refer
We accept referrals from:
- paediatricians
- orthopaedic surgeons
- neurologists
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- GPs
- other doctors
Referrals from therapists must be in consultation with and sent by a paediatrician, surgeon, GP or other doctor.
How to refer
Please address referrals to Dr Adam Shortland using the contact details in the referral contacts box on this page.
Referrals to our service should the state the reason for referral. For example:
- is a baseline assessment required?
- is the assessment to assist in treatment decision-making?
- do you have a particular intervention in mind?
- is this a follow-up assessment?
Please also include any relevant information about the patient, including diagnosis, whether they have any learning or behavioural needs, and any relevant interventions that the patient has had. It is helpful if you include the most recent clinic letter with the referral.
If you wish for the patient to be assessed with their orthoses and/or assistive devices, please state this.
Referral criteria
Gait analysis
The patient should be able to walk a distance of 15 metres either independently or with their assistive devices.
The patient should be at least three years old.
The test takes between one and a half and two and a half hours and is quite technical, so the patient should be able to relax and follow instructions.
Upper limb movement analysis
The referral purpose should be for functional considerations and outcomes to aid in intervention planning or review.
The patient should be at least seven years old.
The test takes between two and two and a half hours and is quite technical, so the patient should be able to relax and follow instructions.
Results
After the information has been collected in the patients' appointment, it is analysed, reviewed and discussed by the gait laboratory team. A report will then be completed and sent back to the referrer to discuss with the patient. This may take up to six weeks.