A full range of extra support is provided by the hospital’s multi-professional paediatric specialists.
Consultant Community Paediatricians & Associate Specialist Doctors who have specialised in Children’s Medicine. Community Paediatricians include Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatricians who have specialised in the assessment, diagnosis and management of Children with developmental difficulties and children with disability.
When you see our Consultant Community Paediatricians they will assess your children/young person to determine their medical needs and any possible diagnosis. The clinics are held in the Child Development Centre or virtually. Please check your appointment letter where it will state whether the appointment taking place will be virtual or face to face.
Appointments for children with hearing impairment are made by Southend Hospital. Audiology assessments are held in our purpose built Audiology Suite.
If you/your child are unwell please telephone the Lighthouse Child Development Centre on 01702 508180 as soon as possible to either cancel or to discuss if there is an opportunity for a video or telephone call from the Doctor instead of the face-to-face clinic appointment.
Please arrive in plenty of time for your appointment and allow time for parking where applicable.
Please note that clinic times for new appointments are 75 minutes and follow up appointments are 45 minutes. Due to the high demands on the service please can we ask for your understanding that appointments cannot be extended.
If you are late for your appointment the doctor will aim to see you if possible, however will only be able to see you for the remainder of the appointment time that is still available. We appreciate your co-operation and understanding.
Our children’s physiotherapy team is here to support your child or young person in developing their movement skills so they can reach their full potential. We work together with you and your child to set goals that matter to your family. Our aim is to make everyday activities easier and more enjoyable, helping your child feel confident and independent.
Visit our webpage for more information.
Occupational Therapists focus on the day to day activities that children want or need to do. This often includes developing independence skills such as dressing, participation in meal times, self – care, play etc.
We look at the child’s physical ability to do these activities but we also look at whether there are any other factors such as developmental stage, attention or regulation which could be impacting on their ability to engage. We also consider the environment in which a child is carrying out their activities of daily living (ADLs) to see if this is impacting participation.
Visit our webpage for more information.
The Speech and Language Therapy Service provides assessment, advice, direct and indirect interventions for children and young people with speech, language and communication disorders or feeding difficulties. The Speech and Language Therapy Service considers the role of parents, carers and other significant people to be vital in maximising effective communication, eating and drinking skills. Much work is therefore concerned with working to improve abilities by training and supporting those in the child/young person’s environment.
Visit our webpage for more information.
ADHD medication supply disruption
For the latest updates and information on the national supply shortage of medication prescribed to help manage ADHD symptoms, visit the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System website.
Click here to see more detailed information for children and young people and carers.
Click here to read more detailed information about Guanfacine, Lisdexamphetamine and Methylphenidate.
Repeat prescription
You have to request prescriptions 4 weeks in advance of when the medication is needed. Sending prescription requests in late may result in no medication being sent. Our prescription requests are completed by date of receipt and as a result, we cannot fulfil urgent prescription requests due to there not always being a clinician available to provide these.
Repeat prescription requests should be made by the Parent or Carer of the child that has been prescribed the medication. Please email your request to: [email protected].
Please note we do not accept medication requests by telephone.
Please ensure you record your child’s name, address, date of birth, medication name and dosage in your request.
If you have any concerns about the type or dosage of medication issued to your child, please email: [email protected].
If your child is open to the Lighthouse Centre and has an ADHD diagnosis from the Lighthouse Centre and you wish to explore ADHD medication for your child, you can also contact us via: [email protected].
Prescriptions must be collected within 28 days of the date of issue. After 28 days, the pharmacy will not issue the medications. If the pharmacy only gives you a portion of your prescribed medication (i.e if they don’t have the full amount in stock) you must return back within 28 days of date of the issue of the original prescription to collect the remainder.
When you arrive at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre, a member of staff will greet you. They will tell you where to go, and help you with any special requirements your child may have.
Specialist nurses
The Children’s Epilepsy Service provides support and advice for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years and their parents and carers who live in Castle point, Rochford or Southend.
Children and young people will have a diagnosis of epilepsy, or who are going through assessment for epilepsy, can be referred.
Referrals into the Children’s Epilepsy Service can be made by:
- health professionals
- colleagues in education
- social care
- parents/carers
The Children’s Epilepsy Specialist Nurse also provides:
- information regarding emergency care plans
- support and monitoring of medication
- training for families, carers and personnel within education/social care in administration of rescue medication
How to contact the service
Children’s Epilepsy Service: [email protected]
Our Epilepsy Specialist Nurse provides dedicated support to children and young people aged 0–18 years who have a diagnosis of epilepsy alongside a diagnosed learning disability and/or autism. The service offers additional, targeted intervention to children, young people, and their families, with the aim of promoting safe and effective epilepsy management.
The role focuses on supporting coordinated, holistic care that considers epilepsy-related needs alongside the child or young person’s wider health, developmental, and educational needs.
The Epilepsy Specialist Nurse works closely with other Epilepsy Specialist Nurses and professionals across the area to ensure joined-up care. The service covers the Mid, South and Essex regions.
The support provided may include:
- Supporting families to liaise with healthcare professionals and education settings
- Providing advice and strategies related to epilepsy management, including medication adherence
- Offering information and guidance to support transition to adult services
Referrals can be made by professionals or by parents/carers using the referral form, available via email.
Email: [email protected]
The Children’s Respite Nursery Nurses take referrals for children and young people aged 0 to 16 who have a clinical nursing need or who have complex health needs.
They visit children in their own home and are able to provide clinical and supportive care to enable parents / carers to have some respite from caring.
The nursery nurses are trained so they can take over the clinical and personal routines for the children during the respite session. They also provide opportunity for play therapy to enhance the child’s development. The child’s usual routine within their home is promoted.
Referrals
Children and young people must be in prior contact with Children’s community nurses, Specialist school nurses or the Specialist Health Visitor all of whom can refer to the service.
Contact details
Email with enquiries to [email protected]
The Specialist School Nursing Service provides support for children, young people and their families with additional and complex needs throughout their school lives from 3 to 19 years.
Service Information
The team of specialist nurses and assistants offers advice and support. Development of care plans and competency-based training for health, care and educational professionals, enabling individuals to support young people within specialist school settings.
Where service is delivered
- Kingsdown School
- Lancaster School
- Cedar Hall School
- Glenwood School
- St Nicholas School
- St Christopher’s School
Referral Information
Children and young people who attend any of the schools listed above can access the Specialist School Nursing service.
Contact the service
The nurses can be contacted via the specialist schools listed above or by emailing: [email protected]
Our Specialist Health Visitor works alongside paediatricians at Lighthouse Child Development Centre and the Development and Play Advisory Service (Jigsaws) offering support to families with complex and life limiting conditions. The Specialist Health Visitor will make assessments and plan care to ensure the children and their families have additional services and support in place. Sleep counselling is offered to families if needed.
The Specialist Health Visitor will work with other agencies to ensure holistic care is in place.