Healthcare

Every disabled child has the same right of access to generic health services as anybody else, and the Child Health and Disability Teams in Cardiff and the Vale can
help to support this access. GP’s are increasingly acting as the primary core of the health service, able as they are to refer people to any service which they feel may be appropriate.

In the case of young children who are suspected of having a learning disability, the child’s doctor, in consultation with specialists, such as health visitor attached to the practice, may refer the child to a Special Needs Health Visitor, the Children’s Centre, the Community Child Health Service or the Child Development Service for assessment and care.

Special Needs Health Visiting Service

Specialist Health Visiting Service is available to all children with special needs in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The aim of the Special Needs Health Visiting Service is to work in partnership with families
and children with Special Needs within a multidisciplinary and multi-agency framework, to
provide support and relevant information to enable them to make informed choices in
relation to their child’s care

The Special Needs Health Visitor are frequently the named health key worker for the child with disabilities and his/her family. They assist in co-ordinating health and social care for the child and family, and have the necessary experience to recognise the potential social and emotional consequences of a disability on family members, and to anticipate and respond to the needs and the problems.
Referral Criteria:

• Children who have a moderate to severe learning disability
• Children who have moderate to severe physical disability
• Children with severe speech and language disorder
• Children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Referrals are accepted for all children who meet the referral criteria. A referral should be made directly to the Special Needs Health Visitor that covers the geographical area the child lives in.

Contact:
Melanie Williams
Special Needs Health Visitor Co-ordinator
Children’s Centre
St David’s Hospital
Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff CF11 9XB
Tel: 029 2053 6813
Clare Naylor and Jane Thomas: 029 2053 6814
Rita Lewis and Pippa Clarke: 029 2053 6812

ClareThomas, Special Needs Health Visitor
Colcot Clinic
Winston Road
Barry CF62 9SU
Vale of Glamorgan
Tel: 01446 744234
Mob: 07966 194 573
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community Child Health Service - Pre-School

Children suspected of having developmental problems can be seen for a comprehensive
paediatric assessment in a multi-disciplinary way. The service is Consultant led and assesses the child’s development, general health, hearing and vision. This includes carrying out any necessary investigations and making a diagnosis where possible. The Consultant Community Paediatrician leads a multi-disciplinary team which includes clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dieticians, orthoptists, audiologists, clinic nurses and special needs health visitors. The aim is to develop a package of healthcare with the family once the child’s needs become clear.

This comprehensive service is based at the Children’s Centres at St. David’s Hospital in
Cardiff or Llandough Hospital, Penarth. Parents/carers can access the service through the family doctor who will refer to the paediatrician for their area.

For further information contact:
The Co-ordinator
Children’s Centre St David’s Hospital
Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff CF11 9XB
Tel: 029 2053 6789
The Co-ordinator
Children’s Centre Llandough Hospital
Penlan Road
Penarth CF64 2XX
Tel: 029 2071 5580/2071 5531

The Administrative Headquarters for Community Child Health are:

Cardiff Community Health Care
Lansdowne Site
Sanatorium Road
Cardiff CF11 8PL
Tel: 029 2093 2675
Colcot Clinic
Winston Road
Barry CF62 9SU
Vale of Glamorgan
Tel: 01446 738358

School Age Children

All children have a School Entry Health Review by the school nurse and the majority of schools in Cardiff and the Vale have a named doctor and a named school nurse.

Many children with special needs are attending either special schools, or special classes or
units in mainstream schools. Supportive therapies may be provided in special schools as
appropriate.

Special Schools

Have more input by doctors and nurses and some have nurses permanently on site.
Supportive therapies, orthoptics etc have more input to special schools and some have therapies on site.

Queries regarding School Health Service may either be put to the appropriate consultant (for Vale, or Cardiff) or to the School Health Office (Administration).

For further information contact:
Child Health Co-ordinator
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Child Health
Lansdowne Site
Cardiff CF11 8PL
Tel: 029 2093 2675

The Community Dental Service provides a service to special schools

Child Development Service

This well established service for preschool children and their families offers a structured
programme of developmental and behavioural advice based on the Portage model,
provided through weekly or fortnightly home visits by a Child Development Advisor
(supported and supervised by a Child Clinical Psychologist). Children can only be referred to the service through their Community Paediatrician.
Referral Criteria:

• Children who have global developmentaldelay
• Children with severe speech and language disorder
• Children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder with an associated learning disability

For further information contact:
Dr Ruth Paradice
Principal Child Psychologist
The Children’s Centre
St David’s Hospital
Cowbridge Road East
Canton
Cardiff CF11 9XB
Tel: 029 2053 6733
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cardiff & Vale University LHB – Women & Children Division
Clinical Psychology Service

The Clinical Psychology Service offers support to children with a learning disability, their families and carers. Psychologists work with professional colleagues in Child Health and Disability Teams and provide assessment and management advice with regard to difficulties which people experience in their lives.

Advice is provided on a range of issues which may reflect behavioural, emotional and
developmental concerns. The Service also receives referrals for people who present with
complex difficulties associated with mental health concerns and autistic spectrum disorders
alongside their learning disability.

For further information contact:
Peter Watkins
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
43 The Parade
Roath
Cardiff CF24 3AB
Tel: 029 2067 4040
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Psychologists working with children can also be contacted via the Child Health and Disability Team in Cardiff and the Child Health and Disability Team in the Vale.

Community Nursing

Community Learning Disability Nurses are based in the Adult Community Support Teams.
Community Nurses work directly with clients, their families and carers to promote optimum
physical and emotional health and well being, through assessment, advice and education.
Community Nurses undertake both clinical and case management roles, and work with people with a Learning Disability who have Complex Health Needs including Epilepsy, Mental Health Needs, and Challenging Behaviour.

Community Nurses work closely with all professionals within the Community Team, and
also with colleagues in Primary and Secondary Care Services, to ensure the best delivery of healthcare to people.

For further information contact your local Cardiff Learning Disability Team or Vale
Community Support Team.