Community Paediatricians are doctors specially trained and experienced in child health who see children outside a hospital.
The Community Paediatrician will see children for conditions which include children with long term disability (cerebral palsy and learning disability), children with developmental delay with neuro-disability, those with specific neuro-developmental problems (e.g. ADHD and Autism), genetic conditions and children being fostered or adopted.
Appropriate referrals to this Service include concerns associated with:
- Developmental delay
- Regression of developmental with loss of skills
- Assessment for possible Neuro-developmental conditions due to significant concern with attention, concentration and/or hyperactivity
- Social and communication difficulties
- Motor difficulties with neurological anomalies
- Management and overview of complex long-term health conditions requiring ongoing medical management by a Community Paediatrician such as cerebral palsy, degenerative conditions, genetic syndromes
The Community Paediatricians also have:
- Statutory responsibilities for Special Educational Needs assessments (contributing to EHC plans)
- Statutory responsibilities for Child Protection, Looked after children and adoption
- Responsibility to contribute to the MDT and provide medical leadership
Referrals can be made via a single referral form for Woodview Specialist Children’s Service.
Referrals will be considered for children aged 0-16 or up to 19 if attending a special school and living in Halton. All children are seen for their first appointment within 18 weeks from the referral date.
The Community Paediatric Service may also offer follow up appointments if the child or young person has on-going medical needs. There is no cost for families to use the Children’s Community Paediatric Service.
Where we work
This service is mainly delivered from:
The Child Development Centre (CDC)
Crow Wood Lane
Widnes
WA8 3LZ
Telephone: 0151 495 5400
There are also satellite clinics at Hallwood Health Centre, St Paul’s Health Centre and Castlefields Health Centre in Runcorn.
Services are also provided from local Children’s Centres on an adhoc basis.
In addition, clinic sessions are undertaken at some special schools for children with complex and multiple difficulties.
What families can expect from Community Paediatricians
- We provide expert assessment including an in-depth case history and medical evaluation
- We collate health information about your child or young person to inform diagnosis
- We liaise with other professionals, including therapists and education staff within the Multi-disciplinary Team and partners
- We involve parents/care givers in the development of a management plan for their child that the family, nursery/school or relevant other staff will implement
- We provide a written summary following every contact that is shared with your child’s general practitioner, parent/care giver and other health professionals
- With parent/carers consent we will also share clinic letters and/or reports with nursery/school and other relevant professionals
- We contribute to Education, Health and Care plans where appropriate for children and young people with additional needs
- We signpost families to other services when a referral is not accepted by the Community paediatric Service
- We will make referrals to other agencies or services where appropriate and when families consent to this beneficial support
- We refer to tertiary centre (hospital) for investigations such as bloods or an x-ray
- We can make a referral for genetic counselling where necessary
- We attend some sharing the news family feedback meetings
Moving on – transitions and discharge
Once the Community Paediatrician has completed the medical assessment, and where treatment or support is being provided by other professionals, it may be that the role of the Community Paediatrician is complete and the child or young person will be discharged.
For a small number of children, the Community Paediatric Service may need to continue to be involved with the child or young person’s ongoing treatment, for example when medication is being prescribed. In these cases, the Community Paediatric Service will:
- reviewed and reassessed the child or young person on a regular basis
- listen to the views of the child and young person and parent/care giver
- share knowledge about a child or young person’s condition to increase understanding and independence
- help facilitate a seamless transition to adult services when appropriate to ensure continuity of care and increased independence/choice
- provide advice and support for families and young person experiencing difficulties during transition periods such as moving from primary to secondary school
Discharge from the Service happens when:
- Support is being provided by other professionals
- Young person moves to adult services
- Further medical intervention is not required
The decision to discharge to the support of all others in the child’s life will always be discussed and agreed with the child or young person, their family and other relevant professionals.
How we communicate with parents/care givers
You can mainly expect to speak to us face to face in appointments and occasionally by a telephone appointment if clinically required. You can also expect to receive clinic letters and reports.
Give us your feedback
Your feedback is important to us and helps us to improve our services here at Bridgewater.
Please tell us about your recent visit or appointment by completing our online Talk to Us form.
Information sharing
In order to offer integrated, high quality care for children and young people our Specialist Children’s Services work closely with health and education professionals.
We share information about the outcomes of assessments and the strategies recommended in order that settings and schools can implement consistent strategies on a daily basis.
We also routinely inform your general practitioner setting or school when a child or young person was not brought for an appointment.
Appropriate information sharing will greatly help the continuity of care for your child and, in some cases, support those families who find it difficult to access Services.
However, if you do not wish information to be shared you may withdraw your consent at any time.
Resources
Halton Local Offer
The Local Offer is an online hub that lets young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers know what services are out there for them, and how they can access them.
Halton Community Paediatrics Team – Advice To Parents About Local Offers:
- Behaviour difficulties (Anger, aggression, meltdowns, tantrums, defiance etc)
- Sleep difficulties
- Emotional difficulties (poor regulation, low moods, anxiety, mood swings , low self-esteem etc)
Information for Carers
Bridgewater recognises that caring is an important role and wants to support and involve those caring for our patients wherever possible.
View our Information for Carers page for more information.