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Overview
Some children and young people have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities due to health conditions, or they may have health concerns that are commonly associated with them.
Other children and young people struggle to access health care because of their SEND.
All our health services are inclusive and can make adjustments to make sure all children and young people are as healthy as they can be.
In this section you can find out about the health services available in South Tyneside.
Eligibility criteria
- Universal services : You can refer yourself into these services, and there are no criteria to access them.
- Targeted services: There are eligibility criteria to access this service.
- Specialist services: You must be referred to this service by a professional to access it.
Some services may have different levels of support within them. This means that although you may be able to refer yourself into the service at first, you may need a professional to refer you at a later date.
General health services
General health services can be accessed by everyone.
They are usually the first point of contact for most health needs.
Doctors called GPs (General Practitioners) look after the general physical, mental and social aspects of your child's health.
- For general health needs, contact your local pharmacy or GP
- If you have an urgent medical need, contact 111
- If there is a life-threatening emergency contact 999
Services
Mental health and wellbeing services
Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave.
Mental health problems are common and can happen to anybody, regardless of age, race, gender or social background.
In South Tyneside, our approach to mental health services for children and young people focuses on prevention and early intervention.
If you need urgent help
If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can speak to someone to get advice and support.
See Lifecycle Mental Health Service: Need urgent help?
Services
For general information about health and wellbeing in South Tyneside, see South Tyneside Council: Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Diet and nutrition services
Children and young people with SEND may have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight and getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
It is important to help your child understand the health benefits of eating a balanced diet and the risks of being underweight or overweight.
Speak to your GP, health visitor or school nurse if you have concerns about your child's diet or if they have difficulties with eating or drinking.
They may refer them to a support service.
Services
Vision and hearing services
Routine hearing and eye tests are offered to babies and children in their early years to find any problems early on in their development, and to find any significant hearing or sight loss.
This helps to reduce any impact that this could have on their speech and language development, social skills or education.
All children and young people should continue to have their vision and hearing checked regularly, or if you notice any sudden changes.
These tests can be carried out by services in the community that are open to everyone, but if you have any concerns, speak to your GP or health visitor.
Children and young people with vision and hearing conditions may need to be referred to specialist services.
Services
Hospital-based services
Hospital based services can be:
- inpatient (where you stay overnight), or
- outpatient (you attend for your appointment only).
They carry out assessments, tests, treatments and procedures that can't be carried out by your GP or community services.
If you are referred to a hospital-based service, the person who is referring you will discuss this with you.
Services
Speech, motor skills, physical movement (therapeutic services)
Therapeutic services focus on the development of functional skills, such as:
- speech and language
- fine and gross motor skills
- physical movement.
They will assess any difficulties or concerns, and provide therapies tailored to your child's needs.
Therapy doesn't always have to be provided on a one to one basis. They may give your child exercises and activities to do on a regular basis to develop their skills.
Services
Community health services
Community health services may be delivered in your home, or in schools, community hospitals or clinics.
For example, school nursing and health visiting services, and specialist services like community dentists, audiology and nurses.
Community health teams play an important role is supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and those with complex health needs.
Many services involve professionals from a range of health and social care teams working together.
Services
Services for specific conditions or groups of people
Some health services offer a wide range of services that don't fit into a specific category.
This might be because:
- they provide specific support / treatment or therapies to people with different health conditions, or
- they offer different types of support / treatment / therapies to people with a connected issue, such as minority groups.