Integrated Services
On this page we would like to tell you more about some of the amazing people and services who are involved in the children's time at school.
Ann Holmes
Ann Holmes is the Named School Health Nurse for the Resource Base at Oasis Long Cross. Her base is at The Longcross Centre, but she spends a lot of time at Claremont School. Ann helps to support the children’s health, and attends medicals with the school Doctor, Dr Matthew Ellis, every month. Most of the children at the Resource base see Dr Ellis, and if you wish your child to be seen, please let their Teacher know, and they will, in turn, let Ann know.
When your child reaches the age of four years, if they are still wearing nappies, they become eligible for free nappies. Ann can help you to obtain these.
Ann tries to attend meetings at school about individual children’s health, and is a link between parents, Dr Ellis and School.
If you have any medical issues you would like help with, please feel free to contact Ann, via School, or leave a message at School Reception for her.
Resource Base Long Cross Physiotherapy information
Hi, my name is Kirsteen Chalcraft. I am a member of the Community Children’s Health Partnership (CCHP) Physiotherapy team based at Westgate house. We are NHS Physios and from 1st April will be employed by Bristol Community Health and based at Westgate House in Southmead Hospital.
I see children in the Resource Base who have been referred by their GP, Paediatrician, School Nurse or other professional for Physiotherapy Assessment and Review because of a concern about their physical development. I am only able to see a child with parental consent, and I will inform parents of any appointments I make to see their child in school.
After initial assessment I will be able to ascertain any problems that physiotherapy may be able to help with. I will then provide advice to parents and school on ways that they can help develop a child’s physical skills through everyday activities, play and PE. This will often be followed up with review appointments where necessary. After an episode of care the child will be discharged from physiotherapy, but if further functional problems arise that physiotherapy can help with, the child may be re-referred to the service by one of the professionals mentioned before.
Along with my colleague Phillipa and Orthotist Pippa we also run Orthotic clinics providing children with specialist insoles and footwear where necessary. I also see children in the Children’s Centre and Oasis Academy who have been referred to our service.”
Information about the range of Community Children’s Health Services can be found if you Google CCHP Bristol.
Community Paediatrician
Dr Matthew Ellis, Westgate House, Southmead Hospital.
Community Paediatricians are specialist children's doctors who have a particular expertise in looking after children with long term health problems which may have an impact on other areas of their life.
We undertake the assessment and treatment of children with developmental problems such as delayed milestones, learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and ADHD.
We see Children in Care for their regular health check and we also see children for whom there are child protection concerns. We provide support to vulnerable children and their families, liaising with other professionals involved as appropriate. We also provide reports for children who are undergoing the school Statementing process.
We provide an individual service to each child and their family and as well as treating their medical problems, we work closely with colleagues in other parts of the health service as well as those in social and education services to ensure that all their needs are being met.
Children are usually seen in a children’s centre or clinic in the area where they live. Some children are seen within their special schools. All patients will normally have their height, weight and blood pressure measured before seeing the doctor. Whilst most younger children are seen with their parents/carers, older children are sometimes offered the opportunity to see the doctor alone for part of their appointment. Parents/carers are sometimes seen without the child in the room for part of the appointment also.
When a child is referred to see a paediatrician a letter is sent to the parent/carer to ask them to phone if they still want to see a doctor. An appointment will be made to see one of the paediatricians, or sometimes a junior doctor who is training to be a consultant.