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Frequently asked questions
On this webpage, you will find the Community Paediatric Team frequently asked questions. If you're unable to find an answer to your query, please get in touch.
Referrals
Who can refer to the Community Paediatric Service?
Please see our “referrals” section above
What are the referral criteria for the Community Paediatric Service?
Please see our “referrals” section above
My child has been referred to the Community Paediatric Service but I don’t know what happens next?
When your referral is received it will be triaged by one of the clinical team.
- If the referral does not meet our criteria:
The referrer will receive a letter from us detailing why and potentially signposting to other services/agencies/self-help support groups/websites. You will receive a copy of this letter so that you know the outcome
- If it does meet the criteria:
The referral will be accepted into the service. You will receive an acceptance letter detailing what will happen next. You will receive an letter explaining your child's appointment details. This is usually sent approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the date/time.
How long after a referral being accepted with the Community Paediatric will my child be seen?
The National Referral to Treatment target is 18 weeks. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to adhere to this target and we are working hard to resolve this issue. At this time, the number of referrals received each month currently outstrips the number of available appointments. this means that at the current time families are waiting longer than 30 weeks for a first appointment. This is likely to change over time but we are very sorry about this wait.
Appointments
How can I request another appointment?
If a follow up appointment is deemed clinically necessary your Community Paediatrician will detail this on your child’s record. An appointment will be made for your child and a letter sent out to you approximately 3-4 weeks in advance.
We do NOT offer urgent appointments and all appointments are booked in line with the outcome from your previous appointment.
Please be aware there is always a high demand for appointments so you it may be that you have a slightly longer wait than you were expecting.
Families are also experiencing a longer than anticipated wait for follow up appointments. Again we are very sorry for this wait and we are working as hard as we can to resolve this situation.
What do I need to do if I cannot make my allocated appointment?
If, when you receive your appointment letter, you are unable to make the date/time allocated then please contact the team as soon as possible to cancel.
This will help us to fill the appointment with another child and we will also be able to reschedule your child.
Please note that should you not attend or contact us to alert us to this then your child is likely to be discharged from the Community Paediatric service. Following this your child would need to be re-referred to have any further input from the service.
When will I find out the outcome of my child’s appointment?
You will receive a letter summarising the discussions at your appointment.
The time scale will vary depending on what (if anything) needs to be actioned following the appointment ~ everyone is different.
When will my child receive a diagnosis?
Diagnoses are rarely given on the first appointment, particularly if the child is very young.
It may be that onward referrals need to be made to other services/teams but this will be explained to you in the appointment and will be outlined in the correspondence you will receive following the appointment.
General
How do I make contact with the Community Paediatric Service?
Please refer to the contact information at the top of this webpage.
Please note that we do receive a high volume of calls daily so we would ask that you are patient when trying to contact us.
When you contact the service there are a range of options to reach the right person. If you have a specific query for your child's clinician please make sure you have the clinician's name to hand so that you can go to the correct option. If you would like to enquire about an appointment please listen carefully for the booking team option.
The service will NOT tolerate any aggressive, abusive or threatening callers and should this happen the call will be terminated without hesitation.
My child’s contact details have changed ~ how can I let you know their new details?
Please contact the team using the contact details at the top of this webpage. They will update your child’s patient record with new details.
I am worried about my child and would like to speak with my child’s Paediatrician urgently?
If you need urgent advice in regards to your child you should contact either your GP, 111 or 999. Unfortunately we are not an urgent/emergency service and are not able to respond to urgent calls/situations
Why am I being asked to complete questionnaire forms?
Any questionnaires, forms or reports that are requested will be required to form part of your child’s assessment to determine the correct diagnosis for them. Please try and return these documents within 3-4 weeks so that there is no delay in them being added to your child’s record.
Can I get help completing questionnaires and forms?
Yes; speak to your child’s school, family support worker or Health Visitor for support.
if you or your child's school do not return the questionnaires it is highly likely that you will not be offered a further appointment and your child will be discharged from the service.
How can I get results of any investigations my child has had done?
We will contact you via letter or discuss any results at your next review appointment with your paediatrician.
Please note that the administrative team will not give out results over the phone and cannot discuss these with you.
How do I pass on a compliment, make a complaint or leave feedback?
For compliments, complaints and feedback you can contact the Trust’s Patient Relations Team on 01905 681517 or whcnhs.pals@nhs.net.
I am travelling and need a letter to prove my child’s diagnosis
Your last clinic letter will be enough evidence to show to airlines, theme parks etc.
Please keep your clinic letters safe.