Health

Local Support

• Halton Carers Centre offer support to parents of children with ADHD
• Halton ImPart  – help to empower Halton parents/carers of children with disabilities or additional needs to have their voice heard in service design and delivery. I’m Parenting, I’m Participating, I’m Part, for further information – contact Julie Sumner
•  Scope Face2Face offer lots of support, parents/carers can self-refer or be referred in using this Referral Form for further information contact Tina Taylor Tel: 07767 346724  – support includes:
  • Parent Group
  • Family Events and Coffee Mornings
  • Workshops
  • Face2Face Befriending Service
  • Befriender Training
  • Follow Face2Face Halton on Facebook

Other Useful Contacts/Support

ADHD Foundation for advice/support

• Parents Information
• Useful Websites

• Asthma Policy for schools
• Asthma UK – for helpful advice and information

NHS Choices – Caring for a disabled child – Tips for parents/carers

Cerebra provide health and social care information for the parents and carers of children aged 0-16 years with neurological conditions

Stick ‘n’ Step offer FREE weekly or twice-weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy. A new centre is opening soon at Tudor Hall, York Street, Runcorn – parents can self-refer using the Family Enquiry Form. Eligibility for support by the service is by an assessment. Contacts are Sarah Smithson and Kelly Marks Tel: 01928 573777/0151 638 0888. Case Studies will be added shortly

Children in Care Health Services for those in the care of a local authority

British Dyslexia Association offer help and advice for people with dyslexia including a helpline for support and Frequently Ask Questions

Visit https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/ for more information

A – Z Medical Conditions

Childhood Illnesses Visual Guide

All about diagnosis

Parent’s experience of getting a diagnosis

• Community Matrons
• Prepare for going in hospital
• Halton Community Specialist Learning Disabilities Team Easy Read Leaflet
  • Referral Form
  • Tel: 0151 495 5302

Breastfeeding Service/Support Groups and Parenting in the Community Service

Midwifery Service based at Widnes Health Care Resource Centre and from GP surgeries on Runcorn. Women can self refer, be referred from other services or be referred by their GP

Health Visiting Service offers health assessments, advice support and interventions to children and families as required in their first years of life

School Nurses deliver the Healthy Child Programme for school-aged children and young people 5-19 years of age School Nursing Facebook

Video clip explaining personal health budgets

Brook sexual health and wellbeing information for under 25s

Relationships Advice

Sex and sexual health

STI’s

Pregnancy

Sexual Health Clinics

Scope Sleep Solutions Support for families of disabled children and/or additional needs, aged 2-19 with severe sleep problems – workshops, clinics and support. Further details, Sleep Coordinator 07435 964605

• Helping your child sleep advice and tips
• Sleep Tips
• Local Help/Support

Continence Service for those aged over 19 years with a bladder or bowel issue

Occupational Therapy for Assistive Technology for information about equipment to support independent living for people with disabilities, their carers, professionals and other organisations

Foot Care service to assess, diagnose and treat lower leg needs for people with a clinical or medical need

Primary Care Psychological Therapies Service available to people 16 years and above

Stop Smoking Service offers free advice and support to help you stop smoking

Autism – What’s your Normal Toolkit

The Isabella Trust aims to help improve the quality of life of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Difficulties by supporting their Families and Carers

Cheshire Autism Practical Support CHAPS support families with Autism Spectrum Condition or Aspergers Syndrome (diagnosed or not) Contact support@cheshireautism.org.uk   or if you require details of current activities contact Ruth Bradford on 0844 850 8607

• Attention Card
• Parents meetings
• Children’s activities Please note these are only open to CHAPS members
• Adult services
• Halton Parents Group

Halton Autistic Family Support (HAFS) Group  – Overview  & Flyer

• What is Autism – Overview
• Autism is?

This is a community based team of experienced specialist nurses and nursery nurses providing support, advice and treatment to children and young people with bowel and/or bladder problems

From April 2017 – 5Borougths Partnership will be delivering a new community-based assessment, treatment and support service for children and young people to provide one-to-one support, family therapy and support from a qualified dietician

More information from 5Boroughs Partnership or contact Sophie Ellis Tel: 01925 664 889

Support/Helplines available through B-eat (Beating Eating Disorders)

www.b-eat.co.uk

Helplines

For support, advice and information for anyone concerned that they or someone they know may have an eating disorder

• Beat’s Youthline Tel: 0345 634 7650 (for children or young people aged 18 and under)
• Beat’s helpline Tel: 0345 634 1414

In this section you’ll find information about the

• Childrens Social Care Equipment Criteria, Referral Pathway, Assessment Process and Impartial Websites, Parents’ Forum & Helpline
• Education – Equipment & Support Policy and Useful Information
• Halton Borough Council & Independent Living Centre
• Woodview (Child Development Centre)
• HELPS
• Halton Integrated Community Equipment Service (HICES)
• Wheelchairs

Advice

Seasonal Advice and Get Flu Safe, Get The Jab

Hearing

Audiology – Hearing for Children for children and young people aged 0-18 and their family to help them aims to communicate, learn and interact with others to the best of their ability

Hearing Tests for Children – hearing tests explained

Hearing Impairment Service – support for children, young people, their family, educational settings and colleges

Hearing Screening Unit offer a Newborn Hearing Screen and a school service to all children attending a mainstream school in Halton in the school entry year.  Any baby or child failing the screen will be referred on to Audiology for further tests

Information for Parent/Carers and Schools

The Buzz: 8-11 years old – deaf children’s website

The Buzz: 12-18 years old – deaf young people’s website

Training e.g. Basic Lip Reading, Hearing Aid Awareness, British Sign Language (BSL)

Hearing – Video Guides

 Vision

Children’s Eyes – advice on children’s vision

Community Orthoptics – for children who are not progressing at school and have difficulties with reading, writing and spelling can access our specialist team of Orthoptists

• Specific Learning Difficulties Clinic – Orthoptist Referral Process
• Orthoptist Screening Tool for Teachers

Eye Tests for children/young people with learning disabilities) – Easy Read

Guide Dogs Information

Information for Parent/Carers and Schools

Opticians – Cheshire and Merseyside offering people with a Learning Disability sight tests

Visually Impaired Service for visually impaired children and young people

Vision Support Resource Centre based at the Independent Living Centre in Collier Street, Runcorn

Community Alcohol Partnership – to tackle underage drinking

Family Futures offer a fun way to learn about healthier lifestyles for children and parents

Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic at Halton General Hospital provides a free, confidential service for anyone with worries about sexual health including tests and treatment

Halton Children’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) identifies ‘the big picture’ for the health and wellbeing needs and inequalities of the local population  based on current and predicted health and well-being data and sets out what people want from their services

Healthwatch Halton and Health & Social Care Directory – Halton

NHS Choices Healthy Eating information, advice and guidance on healthy eating for the whole family

Physiotherapy for children and young people aged 0-16 (up to 19 if already in the service)

Triple P: Positive Parenting Programme  may be able to help NOTE: Must be referred by a professional – Self-referrals not accepted

Wellbeing Enterprises – resources, local information/support, self-help guides, plus much more

Assistive Technology to support independent living for people with disabilities, their carers, professionals and other organisations

Psychological Therapy Service for those aged 16 years and above

ChatterBug Explained

ChatterBug Complaints Procedure

ChatterBug Halton

ChattterBug Halton Online Referral Form

 Other Useful Information

Information for Parent/Carers and Professionals

Transforming care is a national programme led by NHS England which is all about improving health and care services so that more people with learning disabilities and/or autism can live in the community, with the right support, close to home and have the same opportunities as anyone else. More information can be found here

• Health Checks Explained
• Annual Health Checks
• Downs Syndrome Health Book & check list

The Positive Behaviour Support Service (PBSS) is a specialist service that works to support behaviour which challenges and improve quality of life for people with autism and/or learning disabilities who engage in challenging behaviour.

The Minor Ailments Scheme (or Care at the Chemist) is available to those exempt from paying prescription charges – because they’re under 16, over 60 or have a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – you don’t have to pay for the certain medicine.  Information from Boots the Chemist about the scheme

Common ailments that may be treated under the scheme include:

• colds
• coughs
• diarrhoea
• earache
• hay fever
• head lice
• nappy rash
• sore throat
• teething

What is Continuing Care for Children and Young People?

It’s a tailor made package of support needed over an extended period of time for children and young people aged 0-18 years with complex health needs due to a disability, accident or illness.  Despite accessing all available support from health services a tailor made package of support is still required to meet their health care needs.

National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care (Department of Health, 2015)

The ‘Framework’ describes the process, led by CCGs, which organisations should go through in assessing needs and putting in place bespoke packages of continuing care for children and young people.

The assessment process is not a set process and may be adapted to meet the needs of the child/young person and their family. In particular, where a child has a special educational need or disability (SEND), which will often be the case, then CCGs and local authorities should endeavour to coordinate the assessment and agreement of the package of continuing care, as part of the process to develop the child’s Education, Health and Care plan.

What’s the difference between Continuing Care and NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)?

NHS CHC is for adults who have very severe or complex health needs focusing mainly on health and care needs

Continuing Care for a child or young person should also consider their physical, emotional and intellectual development as they move towards adulthood. The framework offers guidance about Transitional planning and arrangements for young people as they move into adulthood and adult services.

Holistic Care Package

The NHS and Local Authority work together to provide a holistic care package to meet the assessed health, social care and educational needs to provide the best outcomes for both child/young person and their family.  Assessments are carried out at a place of the parent/child’s choice usually in the family home.

NHS Halton CCG Continuing Care – Operating Procedure Oct ’16

Community Dental Service for children and adults with disabilities

Dental – Oral health– Early years settings supervised toothbrushing programmes

Sugar Smart App can help parents see the amount of sugar in everyday food and drinks 

Emergency Crisis Situations

Medical emergencies (e.g. self-harm or suicide attempt) call 999 or go to a hospital Accident & Emergency

For non-medical emergencies, contact Halton Assessment/Home Treatment Team first to see if we can deal with the emergency

Halton Assessment/Home Treatment Team – Manager is Matthew Oultram

• Assessment Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and see all new referrals for people not already being supported by mental health services based in a hospital or clinic rather than in the community.
  • The team completes a telephone triage and, if appropriate, face to face assessments to signpost to the appropriate service
  • We aim to assess, plan and care for the person within 12 weeks, if we offer intervention in our service (such as Medic input, brief interventions, extended assessments, etc. this can go up to 16 weeks)
  • We cover all of Halton for emergencies from 8pm to 8am
  • Referrals for Assessment Team will be accepted primarily from GPs, however if the service user was in a crisis/emergency then self-referrals can be made, we will also accept referrals from any professional but again we would primarily ask that they start at the beginning of the treatment pathway with their GP first
  • Contact Details: Assessment Team – 0151 422 6804
• Home Treatment Service is available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
  • The team is considered an alternative to hospital admission and will only take cases requiring intensive support, have significantly high risks and need a lot of care to ensure they remain out of hospital (i.e. potentially visiting 1-4 times every day).
  • From 8pm emergency cases will be dealt with by the Assessment Team night practitioner as mentioned above
  • Referrals can only come from a hospital or clinic mental health services (this includes Assessment Team), they will not take referrals from GP’s or self-referrals (unless under a hospital or clinic mental health service and it is out of hours)
  • Contact Details: Home Treatment Team – 01928 753981

Halton Recovery Team – Managed by Martyn Veevers

• The Recovery Team is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday
  • The team will take cases needing care co-ordination and longer-term support, those with a diagnosis of a severe and enduring mental illness (i.e. Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar, Severe/Recurrent Depression, etc.)
  • We hold a caseload of people under shared-care service for people who are prescribed certain medications that the GP cannot prescribe alone and therefore require a Psychiatrist review every 6-12 months but do not require any other support from mental health services
  • We will also take referrals for people who require more intensive psychological therapy, (classed as Step 4 therapy), these people usually have complex symptoms and higher risks
  • People who have less complex symptoms and considered as high risk that require psychological therapy will go to Halton IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) for Step 2 and Step 3 therapy e.g. depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Referrals can only be made by other a hospital or clinic mental health service – GPs, professionals or Self-referrals need to go through the Assessment Team first
  • Contact Details: Recovery Team – 01928 753968

Foot Care – assess, diagnose and treat lower leg needs for people with a clinical or medical need

Dentist, Chemist, Optician or Hospital

Local Search

Toolkit/Form to complete before attending medical appointments

Toolkit-Form Complete this and take it to your appointment to help you discuss things that are worrying you/your family 

Easy Read Guides- Questions to ask your GP or at a Hospital Appointment

• Questions to Ask the hospital or doctor – Easy Read Guide

Carers Centre Information Book & Hospital Liaison Service

• Carers Information Book
• Hospital Liaison Service Leaflet
• Annual Health Checks

In this section you’ll find information on:

• Minor Adaptations
• Major Adaptations
• Re-housing and Accessible Housing
• Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and Halton Home Improvement Agency
• Dropped Kerbs and Vehicle Cross-overs
• Disabled Parking Bays
• Driveways
• Housing Associations

Lots of support, advice and services for Mental Health

Difficult Conversations with Young People-Adults

Palliative Care (End of Life Care) provide complex pain and symptom control, psychological support and emotional support

Education Resource

For children up to age 5

• Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice offers specialist palliative, respite and end of life care for children up to the age of 5 years with life-limiting or life- threatening conditions

For children and young people from birth to 18

• Claire House Children’s Hospice offers care, support and choice to families whose children won’t live to be adults

Stroke Association offers a free Childhood Stroke Support Service  for information, advice, support and networking events to families affected by stroke in childhood:

• guide, handbook, and toolkit for teachers 
• Awareness posters, including Spot the signs of stroke in a child 

More information by email: childhood@stroke.org.uk or telephone: 07715 065925

• Young Mums/Teenage Pregnancy – Family Nurse Partnership is a programme to support first time mothers under the age of 20
• TeensHealths

Information and websites that explain what your rights are, how to use the NHS and where to go for further support