Community child health - East

We carry out work in the following areas:

• Developmental assessment, investigation and diagnosis in pre-school children.
• On-going medical management of neurodisability in children and young people up to the age of 18 years (or school leaving age if at special school). Neurodisability includes Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, sensory impairment, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, neuromuscular conditions and other congenital/inherited conditions, where we need to monitor your child's health.
• Medical input to help assess school-age children where there are neurodevelopmental concerns, plus on-going management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Medical input, as per statutory requirements relating to children in care, safeguarding and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Our specialist doctors who look after children in the community (community paediatricians) work closely with other health professionals and agencies as part of a large team.

Clinics are held in many locations including areas close to your child’s home or school.

We also run special school clinics, which are important for ongoing health surveillance and management of children and young people with complex needs. These clinics make it easier for parents and carers to attend, plus it means the child or young person doesn't have to miss school.

Community paediatricians might also attend Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings or Annual Review meetings, if necessary.

Telephone: 01392 411611 - ask the operator to put you through to the Community Child Health Department.

Email: rde-tr.exeterchildhealth@nhs.net.

Department of Community Child Health, RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW.

We advise arranging with a member of the team before dropping in, as there is not always someone present.

Lead consultant

• Dr Helen Brewer

Consultant paediatricians

• Dr Richard Tomlinson
• Dr Eleanor Thomas
• Dr Leighton Phillips
• Dr Rowan Stanbury
• Dr Chloe Bulwer

Paediatric Specialty Doctors

• Dr Hannah Law
• Dr Fiona Pettet

Associate specialists in community paediatrics

• Dr Jane Dunlop
• Dr Clare Howard

Clinical nurse specialist

• Position vacant

More support

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Devon SEND Local Offer

What is the SEND Local Offer?

Devon’s SEND Local Offer is the education, health and social care services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25.

More information

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

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The Community Paediatric and Neurodisability Team at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (RDE) includes; Consultants, Associate Specialist Doctors, Paediatricians in training and Clinical Nurse Specialists.  

We provide specialist assessment, investigation, diagnosis and support for children with complex health needs associated with long term neurodevelopmental disorders and / or neurodisabilities. The team also carries out statutory duties including health assessments of Looked After Children (LAC) and medical advice for Special Educational Needs including Education Health and Care Plans (ECHP).  

We work alongside a broader multidisciplinary team as well as liaising with primary care, acute health care, tertiary care and other services as appropriate.  

In Devon other services contributing to understanding and supporting a child’s needs include: Public Health Nursing (Health Visitors and School Nurses), Children and Family Health Devon, Vranch House, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Social Care. It is often appropriate for a family to first access support from one these services prior to a referral to specialist paediatrics. 

Referral method: 

For GPs: via A&G – ERS system 

For other allied health professionals: comprehensive referral letter via email to 

rde-tr.ExeterChildHealth@nhs.net 

Conditions in scope: 

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder  
• Developmental impairments in children under 5 years old 
• Epilepsy in children with associated complex needs 

• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 
• Genetic conditions associated with developmental impairment eg. Down Syndrome 
• Learning disabilities for investigation of aetiology and support of co-morbidities 
• Medical / health complications in children with neurodevelopmental conditions 
• Motor disorders e.g. Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida 

• Neuromuscular conditions e.g. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 
• Other neurological disorders e.g. Acquired Brain Injury, Progressive Neurological Disorders 

Urgent criteria: 

• Developmental regression at any age  
• Child not sitting at 8 months / not walking independently at 18 months / displaying hand preference before 12 months

Exclusion criteria: 

The following concerns should be referred to Children and Family Health Devon via their Single Point of Access (CFHD SPA) 

https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/ 

• Autism Spectrum Disorder 

• Speech and language delay 
• Behaviour concerns in child with learning disability 
• Anxiety / Mental health concerns  
• Sensory concerns
• For continence difficulties (enuresis / encopresis / constipation), please refer to the Bladder and Bowel Team  
• For paediatric medical conditions such as faltering growth, reflux, please refer to the General Paediatric Team at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital 
• For eating disorders  - refer to CAMHS and/or RD&E Paediatrics 
• Concerns about hearing, including auditory processing difficulties should be referred to the Chime Audiologists 
• For vision concerns eg squint refer to Orthoptic team at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital 
• For sleep problems where there is no underlying neurodevelopmental or neurodisability please signpost families to the sleep clinic run by the Public Health Nursing Team  
• For specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, parents / carers should liaise with the school SENCo 
• Co-ordination difficulties – in the absence of neurological signs or symptoms children should be referred to Vranch House Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Team 

 What information is needed for referrals to our service? 

• Reason for referral / problem to be assessed

• General health / summary of past medical history

• Comments on; physical and sensory, communication and interaction, learning and cognition, emotional health and well-being needs

• Relevant family / social history including safeguarding information, input from Early Help

ADHD referrals: 

For ADHD assessment to be considered please provide evidence of significant difficulties with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity presenting across at least two settings impairing function eg. at home and school. 

The following supporting evidence is required for school age children: 

• Involvement of the School SENCo; the nature of assessments and interventions in place, graduated response, Team Around the Family (TAF) support

• Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reports if available

• Assessment of a child’s current academic attainment – specifying child/young person’s progress against age expected norms particularly where there are concerns about cognition and learning

• Reports from other professionals eg. Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy or Advisory Teachers

• Evidence of behavioural management and intervention, either universal or targeted from the Locality Team (eg. Parenting / Bis-net Courses)

GPs should request parents gather the above information before sending referral. 

For ADHD assessment to be considered please provide evidence of significant difficulties with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity presenting across at least two settings impairing function eg. at home and school.

The following supporting evidence is required for school age children:

1. Education Setting Supporting Information Form:

https://myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/local-services/rduh-adhd-community-service/education

2. Parent / Carer Information Form:

https://myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/local-services/rduh-adhd-community-service/parent-carer

Evidence of behavioural management and intervention, either universal or targeted from the Locality Team (eg. Parenting / Bis-net CoursGPs should request parents gather the above information before sending the referral. Many thanks.

Please see the link below for further detail:

https://northeast.devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk/referral-guidance/northern-locality/learning-disabilities/adhd-rduh-northern-eastern-community-paediatric-team