Health
A – Z of Services, Support and Medical Conditions
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ADHD
- ADHD Foundation for advice/support
Asthma
- Asthma Policy for schools
- Asthma UK – for helpful advice and information
Adults Continence Service
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/Sensory Processing Difficulties
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 What is Autism Spectrum Condition? or Aspergers Syndrome (diagnosed or not) Contact [email protected] 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
Annual Health Checks
Behaviour - Challenges
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.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Support Groups Timetable for Runcorn and Widnes
Cancer Red Flags in Learning Disabilities
Care at the Chemist Scheme
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:
Children in Care Health
Children in Care Health Services for those in the care of a local authority
Continuing Care - Children and Young People
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
Caring for a disabled child
NHS Choices – Caring for a disabled child – Tips for parents/carers
Cerebral Palsy
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
Community Alcohol Partnership
Community Alcohol Partnership – to tackle underage drinking
Continence Service
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
Childhood Stroke Support and Resources
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: [email protected] or telephone: 07715 065925
Complaints - Factsheets
These are most commonly made on behalf of a child or young person by their parent, carer or a representative. However, children and young people can make comments and complaints in their own right.
Further information, advice or support is available through Halton SENDIASS for free confidential and impartial support 0151 511 7733 [email protected]
Dyslexia
British Dyslexia Association offer help and advice for people with dyslexia including a helpline for support and Frequently Ask Questions
Dental
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
Epilepsy
Visit https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/ for more information
Equipment in the Home, Community and Education
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
Eating Disorder Services
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)
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
Emergency Health Crisis Situations
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
Flu Information & Winter-Seasonal Advice
Foot Care Service
Foot Care – assess, diagnose and treat lower leg needs for people with a clinical or medical need
Going to see your GP or attend a Hospital Appointment?
Dentist, Chemist, Optician or Hospital
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
Carers Centre Information Book & Hospital Liaison Service
Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic (Sexual Health)
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 Health Improvement Team - Eat Well, Live Well, Age Well
Our local Health Improvement Team can help you to:
Start Well – Giving your child the best start in life
Live Well – Helping adults lead healthier more active lives
Age Well – Supporting healthy and active ageing
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
Halton Borough Councils’ Hearing Impairment Service – support for children, young people, their family, educational settings and colleges
Halton Sensory Services – staff from Vision Support, Deafness Resource Centre and Halton Borough Council’s Rehabilitation Officers form one sensory team co-located in accessible premises within the Borough
Hearing Tests for Children – hearing tests explained
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
Hearing – Video Guides
Housing and Adaptations
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
Healthy Eating
Healthy Eating (NHS Choices) information, advice and guidance on healthy eating for the whole family
Healthy Living
Hospital...Preparing for
Helping children, young people and their parents prepare for hospital
Videos that can help answer some of their questions starting with What? and Why?
Find out about a medical condition?
Childhood Illnesses Visual Guide
Parent’s experience of getting a diagnosis
Learning Disabilities
How can the Community Matrons help?
Information to help you prepare for going into hospital
Halton Community Specialist Learning Disabilities Team
- Team Information Leaflet
- Referral Form
- Contact the Team on Tel: 0151 495 5302
Halton (Adult -17yrs+) Learning Disability Nursing Team
The team work with people aged 18 and over. But also work with people during transition from the age of 17. The team consists of Learning Disability Nurses and Community Care Workers.
Services that the team offer include:
- Health questionnaires/Health action plans/Hospital passports
- Epilepsy assessments
- Sexual health and relationship work
- Behavioural assessments/strategies
- Dementia assessments
- Breast and testicular awareness sessions
- Transition
- Support with psychiatry appointments/Medication monitoring
- Mental health support
- Health facilitation/Learning disability health check
- Training
- Desensitisation
- Healthy eating/lifestyle
- Walking group each Monday in Victoria park, Widnes
Referrals
- Contact the Team on Tel: 0151 511 6606
- Contact Halton Borough Council on Tel: 0151 907 8306
- Complete the Referral Form and email it to the Team
- Referral Form
- Team Email: [email protected]
Mental Health
Lots of support, advice and services for Mental Health
Midwifery, Health Visitor and School Nursing Services
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
Occupational Therapy - Assistive Technology Equipment Service
Assistive Technology to support independent living for people with disabilities, their carers, professionals and other organisations
Orthoptists - Visual Processing Difficulties Clinic
The Visual Processing Difficulties Clinic (VPD) is a clinic run by Orthoptists to help children with eye problems related to or contributing to a reading or learning difficulty.Visual Processing is the way the brain makes sense of visual information. An Orthoptist is an eye specialist who is trained to diagnose and to treat eye movement disorders in adults and children and to help children with poor vision.
Referral process and detailed information about the clinic
Contact details – Kathryn Whitfield, Lead Orthoptist, Orthoptic Visual Processing Difficulties Clinic on 01925 662772
Personal Health Budget
Video clip explaining personal health budgets
Preparing for Hospital
Helping children, young people and their parents prepare for hospital
Videos that can help answer some of their questions starting with What? and Why?
Physiotherapy - Children & Young People
Physiotherapy for children and young people aged 0-16 (up to 19 if already in the service)
Psychological Therapy Service
Psychological Therapy Service for those aged 16 years and above
Palliative Care (End of Life Care) for Children
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
Respite Health Care for Children
For children up to age 5
- Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice – Liverpooloffers 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
Sexual Health
Axess offer confidential services, including:
- STI testing
- Treatment
- Contraception (including long-acting and emergency)
- Pregnancy testing
- PEP and specialist young people’s services
- C-card is now for under 19’s
- Young people can register at schools with school nurses, colleges and youth clubs
- Numerous locations throughout Halton for condom collection
- Anonymous and confidential service
- Postal STI testing and treatment through our digital partner SH:24
Stop Smoking support/services
Speech and Language Therapy Services
Suicide Prevention Campaign Toolkit
The campaign aims to:
- Reduce stigma around suicide by letting people know it is ok to talk about suicide specifically asking if someone is feeling suicidal
- Promote support available for people in crisis
- Increase the number of people accessing suicide awareness training increasing their ability to have a lifesaving conversation
Stroke (Childhood) - Support and Resources
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: [email protected] or telephone: 07715 065925
Tests/Treatments in Hospital...Preparing for
Helping children, young people and their parents prepare for hospital
Videos that can help answer some of their questions starting with What? and Why?
Tired Out/Family Fund - Sleep Support/Tips
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
Transforming Care Approach
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
Triple P - Parenting Skills
For parents and carers who have concerns about their child’s behaviour or want to learn new parenting skills.
Vision
Children’s Eyes – advice on children’s vision
Eye Tests for children/young people with learning disabilities) – Easy Read
Guide Dogs Information
Halton Borough Councils’ Visually Impaired Service – support for children, young people, their family, educational settings and colleges
Halton Sensory Services – staff from Vision Support, Deafness Resource Centre and Halton Borough Council’s Rehabilitation Officers form one sensory team co-located in accessible premises within the Borough
Opticians – Cheshire and Merseyside offering people with a Learning Disability sight tests
Orthoptic information can be found in the box above for Orthoptists – Visual Processing Difficulties Clinic
Vision Support Resource Centre based at the Independent Living Centre in Collier Street, Runcorn
Wellbeing Enterprises
Woodview Specialist Children's Services
The service has been redesigned with a new website that sets out all the different teams, referral details and monthly newsletters
Young Mums/Teenage Pregnancy and Teens Health
- Young Mums/Teenage Pregnancy – Family Nurse Partnership is a programme to support first time mothers under the age of 20
- TeensHealths
Your Rights to Healthcare and the NHS
Information and websites that explain what your rights are, how to use the NHS and where to go for further support