Community Paediatric Service – Halton

General introduction

Community paediatricians are doctors who are specially trained in child health and who see children outside of a hospital setting.

They assess and support children with:

long‑term disabilities, including cerebral palsy and learning disabilities
developmental delay and neuro‑disability
specific neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
genetic conditions
health needs related to fostering or adoption

We provide assessment through detailed case history and medical evaluation, gathering health information to support diagnosis and early intervention. We will work closely with parents and carers to develop management plans, alongside nurseries, schools and other professionals.

After each contact, a written summary is shared with GPs, families and relevant health professionals, and, where consent is given, with nursery or school staff. We contribute to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) where appropriate, and signpost or refer families to other services.

You can expect most contact to take place face to face, with occasional telephone appointments. Clinic letters and reports will also be provided.

The service is mainly delivered from the Halton Child Development Centre, with satellite clinics at:

St Paul’s Health Centre, Runcorn
Independent Living Centre, Runcorn

Services are also provided from local children’s centres, and clinic sessions take place in some special schools for children with complex and multiple needs.

How to access this service

Appropriate referrals to this service include concerns associated with:

developmental delay
regression of developmental with loss of skills
assessment for possible Neuro-developmental conditions due to significant concern with attention, concentration and / or hyperactivity
social and communication difficulties
motor difficulties with neurological anomalies
management and overview of complex long-term health conditions requiring ongoing medical
management by a community paediatrician such as cerebral palsy, degenerative conditions, genetic syndromes

Referrals can be made via a single referral form for professionals you can access on our Halton Children’s Specialist Services webpage.

Referrals will be considered for children aged 0-16 or up to 19 if attending a special school and living in Halton.

The Community Paediatric Service may also offer follow up appointments if the child or young person has on-going medical needs.

There is no cost for families to use the Children’s Community Paediatric Service.

Moving on – transitions and discharge

Once the community paediatrician has completed the medical assessment, and where treatment or support is being provided by other professionals, it may be that the role of the community paediatrician is complete and the child or young person will be discharged.

For a small number of children, the Community Paediatric Service may need to continue to be involved with the child or young person’s ongoing treatment, for example when medication is being prescribed. In these cases, the Community Paediatric Service will:

review and reassess the child or young person on a regular basis
listen to the views of the child and young person and parent / care giver
share knowledge about a child or young person’s condition to increase understanding and independence
help facilitate a seamless transition to adult services when appropriate to ensure continuity of care and increased independence / choice
provide advice and support for families and young person experiencing difficulties during transition periods such as moving from primary to secondary school

Discharge from the service happens when:

support is being provided by other professionals
a young person moves to adult services
further medical intervention is not required

The decision to discharge to the support of all others in the child’s life will always be discussed and agreed with the child or young person, their family and other relevant professionals.

About the team

The team is made up of community paediatricians who work with therapists and education staff within the multidisciplinary team and partners.

Useful information

Neurodevelopmental Pathway (NDP): Frequently Asked Questions

This document aims to answer questions regarding the neurodevelopmental pathway (NDP) for the assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism in Halton, Warrington and Cheshire West.

Read our Neurodevelopmental Pathway (NDP) FAQs.

ADHD medication FAQs

The FAQs include:

treatment options
repeat prescription process
brand vs. generic prescribing

Read our ADHD FAQs.

Services to support health and wellbeing in Halton

Support for children, young people and their families in Halton.

Information for carers

We recognise that caring is an important role and wants to support and involve those caring for our patients wherever possible.

For more information visit our Carers Information page.

Useful websites

Halton Local Offer
The Local Offer is an online hub that lets young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers know what services are out there for them, and how they can access them.