Opticians
Opticians are responsible for carrying out eye tests, to look for conditions and review the overall health of the eyes. Instead of going to an optician, your child might be able to have their eyes tested at the local eye hospital, depending on their age and need. Talk to your Optometrist, Optician, GP or Pediatrician if you have concerns and they can advise you about the most appropriate arrangement for an eye test.
Seeability Opticians (16plus) (National)
SeeAbility is an organisation that supports adults who are visually impaired with multiple disabilities including learning, physical and mental health disabilities, acquired brain injuries and degenerative conditions, to explore their potential.
Opticians/Optometrists in the UK who have signed up to the SeeAbility campaign have made a promise to be accessible to people with Learning Disabilities, and you can find your local Optician/Optometrist via their online database. All Opticians in Kensington and Chelsea have received training by Seeability to ensure their services are accessible for people with Learning Disabilities. To access the online database please Click here. It is recommended to have an eye test at least every 2 years, and these eye tests are available for free on the NHS if you have a Learning Disability.
For more information contact SeeAbility directly on 01372 755066.
Dental Services
Regular Dental Checks are essential for gum and teeth health, however attending these appointments with children and adults with additional needs can sometimes be challenging. Below are a list of Specialist Services which your child can be referred to if they are unable to be supported in a non-specialist Dental Surgery.
Colville Health Centre (0+)
The Colville Health Centre has links with the Paediatric Dentistry Department at Chelsea Westminster Hospital for dental treatment under General Analgesia.
You can be referred into the service by Specialist Practitioners, GPs, General Dental Practitioners Health Visitors, Community Nurses, School Nurses, Social workers and your schools SENCO. This service is also wheelchair accessible.
To contact Colville Health Centre: Telephone: 020 7221 2650
Special Care Dental Service, Violet Melchett Clinic (0+)
All the staff employed are highly experienced in delivering all aspects of Dental Care to special needs patients and those referred to their specialised services. Patients can be referred by their Dentist, GP and other Healthcare Professionals, self-referrals may also be considered.
To contact Violet Melchett Clinic: Telephone: 020 7349 2821
Dental Clinic, St Charles Hospital (18+) (drop down)
The service is available for adults with disabilities. The staff are fantastic, and take their time. They have practical expertise working with disabled adults who have complex needs or who are very anxious. This service helps to keep teeth and gums healthy, hopefully preventing hospital admissions for extractions and fillings. It can also allow adults with complex needs to become confident in accessing a dentistry service.
To access this service you must be referred by your Dentist or GP.
To contact the Dental Clinic at St Charles: Telephone: 0208 962 4471.
GPs
General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of call and your route into most other Healthcare Providers.
Most GP practices offer the following services:
Advice and support on health conditions and problems.
- Medical examinations.
- Treatment for common ailments.
- Prescriptions for medicine to treat illnesses or symptoms of an illness.
- Health checks and Health Action Plans
- Referrals to other professionals if more specialist investigation and support is needed.
Your GP is a central point for all of your child’s Medical Needs. They will hold a medical file containing information about all of your child’s illnesses, conditions, prescribed medications. Your GP should also receive any letters or reports written about your child by other medical specialists.
Annual Health Check
The Annual Health Check scheme is for adults and young people aged 14 or above with Learning Disabilities (Moderate, Severe or Profound) or Complex Health Issues. It can often be difficult for people with Learning Disabilities to recognize illnesses and communicate their symptoms. The Annual Health Checks aim to ensure that they are given additional support in seeing that their Health Needs are met and health conditions do not go undetected.
Adults and Young People aged 14 or above with Learning Disabilities who are known to the Local Authority Social Services, and who are registered with a GP who knows their medical history, should be invited by their GP practice for an Annual Health Check.
During the Health Check, the GP or Practice Nurse will carry out the following for the patient:
- A general physical examination, including checking their weight, heart rate, blood pressure and taking blood and urine samples.
- Assessing the patient’s behaviour, including asking questions about their lifestyle, and mental health.
- A check for epilepsy.
- A check on any prescribed medicines the patient is currently taking.
- A check on whether any chronic illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes, are being well managed.
- A review of any arrangements with other Health Professionals, such as Physiotherapists or Speech Therapists.
The GP or Practice Nurse will often do additional tests for particular health risks that may be associated with certain conditions.
The Health checks can be a good time to review any transitional arrangements which may occur when the young person reaches 18.
Reasonable adjustments will be made to make the Health Check more accessible for the individual. These adjustments can include:
- Using pictures, large print, and straightforward language to help explain what is happening
- Booking longer appointments
- Scheduling an appointment that starts at the beginning or end of the day, so people don’t have to wait.
As part of the Annual Health Check the GP will also be required to produce a Health Action Plan, which outlines a patient’s health needs, what will be done about their needs (including what the patient needs to do), who will help with this and when this will be reviewed.
Health Action Plans
A Health Action Plan identifies Health Needs, looks at what can be done about these and who will help with them and when the plan will be reviewed.
The Health Action Plan should be shared with other relevant professionals and carers who are involved in the care of your child. If your child has capacity they will need to give their consent for this to happen. This ensures that all of the people involved in your child’s care are kept up to date with their health needs and how these are being managed and supported.
To find a GP’s service in your local area please Click here