OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES (Run by PCT)
 

The Child Development Centre provides for the assessment, therapy and early education of children.  This takes place at the Centre, at the child’s home or at their school.  It also provides counselling and support for parents.  Staff at the Centre include: paediatricians, a nursery nurse, a speech therapist, a teacher, psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.  In addition, special advice is available, if required, from a dietician and dental officer. You can contact the Centre yourself, or your doctor, consultant or health visitor, with your consent, can refer your child on your behalf.
 

School nurses

School nurses are employed by the PCT and are usually attached to a local health centre.  Part of their role is to arrange regular health interviews for pupils and to liase with the School Medical Officer.

The Dales School, or example, has a full-time school nurse who is in charge of the day-to-day medical care of pupils who attend.  She is available to advise or talk to staff and/or parents about any medical concerns and will make home visits, if appropriate, and also liases with teaching staff and health professionals, e.g. paediatrician, health visitor, dentist and chiropodist. She can be contacted during the day at:

Other special schools will have similar arrangements.

Based at the Friarage Hospital, the department of nutrition and dietetics will advise on any nutritional or feeding problems.  Your doctor or consultant will refer you for this service.

The Orthoptist carries out routine eye checks. If any problems with vision are suspected, he or she will refer your child to the consultant ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist holds a clinic at the hospital.  If there are likely to be difficulties in taking the person you care or are supporting  to a clinic, tell the staff and the department will make every attempt to make an appointment time that suits you.  Some routine checks are carried out at local special schools.

Eyesight tests are now subject to charges unless you are exempt with a certain diagnosis.  If you are under 16 years, under 19 years and still in full time education, on Income Support or Working Families Tax Credit or Disability Living Allowance, then you qualify for vouchers for glasses and free eye tests. Anyone over sixty may also benefit. See Department of Health Leaflet HC11QG.

People with a hearing problem are referred, by their doctor, to the audiology department at the Friarage Hospital. The audiologist currently visits local special schools for hearing checks.  If there are particular difficulties in attending the hospital clinics, the audiologist may consider making a home visit. Hearing aids are available free of charge if you are assessed as needing one.  This also includes free batteries as needed.

Speech and language therapists at the Community Learning Disability  Team offer joint monthly hearing and screening clinics.

 
Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists specialise in helping people who have problems with movement, using methods such as exercise, manipulation, heat and massage.  They may also be able to advise parents and carers on the best way of carrying, bathing and moving your child or adult or suggest whom to ask. Physiotherapists work in the schools and some day centres. There is a physiotherapist on the Community Learning Disability Team for adults with learning disabilities. If you feel physiotherapy help is needed for your children contact your GP or:

 
Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help people to manage every day tasks and can advise on what aids, equipment or home adaptations might help those concerned to help them manage more easily.  They can also help you to arrange to obtain and install equipment.  If you feel it would be helpful to see an occupational therapist you can get an appointment through school, a hospital consultant or, for adults,  through the Community Learning Disability Team.

 
Chiropody

A chiropodist cares for feet.  Treatment is free for people with a learning disability.  A home visit may be considered for people who cannot visit the surgery for health or behavioural reasons, or for a carer who finds it difficult to leave the house.  Anyone can refer themselves or a dependant by filling in a referral card at your nearest Health Centre.  Alternatively, you can ask your GP or Health Visitor to refer you.
 

Speech and Language Therapy

A speech and language therapist provides help with all aspects of speech, language and communication, including feeding and alternative means of communication e.g. Makaton.    visit special schools and day centres and are available to visit group homes.  A therapist may make a home visit if required. 

If you wish to refer someone or would like to speak to a speech and language therapist, contact your child’s teacher, the Child Development Centre or the Community Learning Disability Team at Thurston Road.

 
Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is exercise, therapy and relaxation in water.  There is a hydrotherapy pool at The Dales School in Morton on Swale.  For more information contact the school, the physiotherapy service, the Child Development Centre or (for adults) the:

 
Dental Treatment

Many people with a learning disability can attend their own family dentist.   If there are any difficulties in finding a dentist the Community Dental Service (CDS) can be contacted and treatment will be arranged at the nearest health clinic.  In some special cases the CDS can visit a patient at their home or provide treatment in a mobile dental clinic.

A few people with learning disabilities can only be treated under a general anaesthetic in hospital.  This is usually arranged through the Community Dental Service. 

NHS dental treatment is free for anybody under 18, or under 19 and in full time education or on Income Support, Working Families Tax Credit or Disability Living Allowance.  Details are in leaflet HC11QG available from the Post Office.
 

At some point you may wish to try and investigate whether or not the cause of your child’s or relative’s learning disability is hereditary.  If this is the case, ask your child’s paediatrician or your family GP to refer you for genetic counselling.

 
Wheelchairs and Equipment

Please see section on Adaptations and Equipment
 

If your child beyond the age of three or an adult is or becomes incontinent, s/he can receive a supply of continence pads to meet their need.  The service can also advise on other continence aids (mattress covers etc) and give information on how to obtain these. You can refer your child or an adult yourself or go through your Health Visitor.