Find universal and specialist health care services for children and young people with disabilities.
On this page
- Universal health services
- Children's nursing and therapy services
- Other specialist health support services
- Mental health support
- Palliative and end of life care for children with life limiting conditions
- Children and adults continuing healthcare
- Moving to adult health services
- Adult specialist health support services
- Find more health support services in our directory
Universal health services
Universal services are services that can be accessed by all children and young people.
A doctor (GP)
All children and young people should be registered with a doctor (GP) from birth. Children under age 16 years need to registered by their parent or guardian.
Your family's GP is the main point of contact for all your family's health needs. They can refer your child to other NHS services if your child requires specialist support, for example occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy or to a community paediatrician.
Find out how to register with a GP surgery (NHS)
Healthy Family Teams
Healthy Families Teams are an NHS service for children, young people and families. It is made up of specialist workers and their teams, who used to be known as health visitors and school nurses.
They provide advice and support to all families living in Nottinghamshire with a child between age 0 and 19 years.
Learn more about the Healthy Family Teams (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Parents and carers can call their advice line to discuss a number of things including:
- child development and health
- infant feeding
- diet and nutrition
- sleep
- behaviour.
Telephone the Healthy Family Teams advice line on 0300 123 5436
Find out about what support the advice line offers in this in this 2-minute YouTube video.
Children's nursing and therapy services
These specialist nursing and therapy services are provided through the NHS and Nottinghamshire County Council for children and young people who require support as a result of illness, health conditions and disability.
Children's Community Nursing Teams (NHS)
The Children's Community Nursing Teams are specialist children’s nurses and trained healthcare support workers who visit children at home. They support children who have nursing care needs aged from 0 to 19 years and who meet certain criteria.
They provide care at home for children and young people with:
- a life limiting or threatening disease or disability who can be safely cared for at home
- a severe medical condition
- a progressive condition resulting in significant health needs and a specialist nursing need
Learn more at Children's Community Nursing Team (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
If you are registered with a Bassetlaw GP, go to Community Children's Team Bassetlaw (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Children's Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (NHS)
The service provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessment and treatment for children who have a disability or long term condition affecting their movement, co-ordination or ability to engage in activities of daily living.
Learn more at Children’s Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Bassetlaw Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team (NHS)
The Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team provides assessment support advice, therapy training and equipment for children with long or short term physical disabilities. Children who are struggling to carry out everyday tasks are also seen.
Learn more at Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team Bassetlaw (NHS Doncaster and Bassetlaw)
Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service (NHS)
The Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service supports children in Nottingham city and county
Children meeting the service entry criteria will receive assessment, diagnosis and support.
The service works with children who need support with the following.
- Understanding what is being said to them
- Listening and following instructions
- Using words and linking words together
- Saying sounds and speaking clearly
- Communicating and interacting with other people
- Using alternative ways of communicating
- Having a healthy voice
- Eating and drinking safely
- Talking fluently
Learn more about the Specialist Children's Speech and Language Therapy (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
If you are registered with a Bassetlaw GP, go to Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service (NHS Doncaster and Bassetlaw)
Other specialist health support services
Community Paediatrics (NHS)
Community Paediatrics are group of specialist doctors and nurses who see the following children:
- children who have developmental concerns
- children with complex disabilities like cerebral palsy
- children with learning disabilities and worries about genetic conditions or specific syndromes
- children with brain injuries, those born very early, or with hearing/vision problems who need assessment or ongoing help
- children with general medical issues like concerns about growth, possible seizures, and more
- children who need evaluation for conditions like ADHD or Autism
If you have concerns about your child's health or development, you can discuss this with your GP who can then make a referral to a community paediatrician if required.
Special Needs Dental Service (NHS)
The Special Needs Dental Service by Nottinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust is for people where more specialist dental care is required. People who are referred to the service include children with physical or learning disabilities or certain medical conditions.
Ask your dentist what is needed for a referral, if it is suitable in your case or to find out more about the community dental care that is available in your area
For questions, contact NHS England by telephone on 0300 311 2233
Learn more about Dental treatment for people with special needs (NHS)
Wheelchair services (NHS)
You'll need an assessment before you can get an NHS wheelchair. The local wheelchair service will decide if you need a wheelchair and, if so, what type.
Ask your health professional to refer you to your local wheelchair service for an assessment.
Referrals can only be accepted from GP's, physio or occupational therapists, community nurses and hospital staff.
Continence support (NHS)
If you need support around your child's continence please contact your local Healthy Family Team for advice.
Telephone the Healthy Family Team advice line on 0300 123 5436
Mental health support
Help in a crisis (NHS)
The crisis line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people of all ages.
Telephone the NHS Help in a crisis line on 0808 196 3779
You can also contact us if you are a Deaf BSL user (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
If you’re in a mental health crisis, call the crisis line anytime of the day or night, and they can arrange for you to speak with a mental health professional. They can also advise you about other services, which can help you.
For other medical advice and support contact your GP or telephone the NHS at 111
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Nottinghamshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are for people up to 18 years old in Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham city.
They offer support to children and young people who may be experiencing severe or complex mental health problems and neuro-developmental disorders.
For more, including services offered and to self-refer, go to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
NottAlone mental health support
NottAlone is a dedicated website providing information and support for young people’s mental health across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County.
If you are aged under 25, are a parent or carer, or a professional who works with and supports young people, you can find information, advice and where to go to get help in Nottinghamshire on the NottAlone website
Local Mental Health Teams
Local Mental Health Teams provide mental health services for people aged 18 to 65 years across Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County and Bassetlaw.
They work with people who have a wide range of mental health difficulties.
You will need to speak to your GP for a referral to these services.
For more information go to Local Mental Health Teams (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Palliative and end of life care for children with life limiting conditions
These palliative and end of life care services are for children and young people with life limiting conditions and their families living in Nottinghamshire:
Children's Community Nursing Teams (NHS)
The Children's Community Nursing Teams are specialist children’s nurses and trained healthcare support workers who visit children at home.
They support children who have nursing care needs aged from 0 to 19 years, including those with a life limiting illness, disease or disability.
Learn more about Children's Community Nursing Team (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
If you are registered with a Bassetlaw GP, go to Community Children's Team Bassetlaw (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Preparing for adulthood and life limiting illness (NHS)
The Children's Community Nursing Teams can support children with a life limiting illness and their families as they prepare to move towards adulthood, including moving between services if needed.
Read about Preparing for adulthood and life limiting illness (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Rainbows
Rainbows is a hospice, which offers palliative and end of life care for children suffering from life limiting conditions who are not expected to reach or live far into adulthood. Care can be provided at the hospice or home.
Rainbows also provide support and activities for brothers and sisters and bereavement support.
Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice
Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice offers care and support to children with a shortened life expectancy, both in their own homes and at their hospice. To receive support families must live in the catchment area, which includes North Nottinghamshire.
Go to the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice website
Children and adults continuing healthcare
Children and young people's continuing care (NHS)
A continuing care package will be required when a child or young person has needs arising from disability, accident or illness that cannot be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.
Continuing care is a package of care, which is arranged and funded by the NHS for children up to the age of 18 who may have very complex care needs. This may be the result of:
- congenital conditions
- long-term or life-limiting conditions
- disability
- serious illness or injury
A referral can be made by any health professional or carer who feels a continuing care package may be required.
Contact the NHS about further information on continuing care by:
Telephone: 0115 88 34720
Email: ncp.childrenscontinuingcareservice@nhs.net
Adults continuing healthcare (NHS)
NHS continuing healthcare is an ongoing package of health and social care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS where an individual is found to have a 'primary health need'.
Such care is provided to an individual aged 18 or over, to meet health and associated social care needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness.
To determine whether or not you have a primary health need there will be an assessment of eligibility.
Contact us to find out more.
If you live in Nottinghamshire (excluding Bassetlaw), telephone 0115 8834720
If you live in Bassetlaw, telephone 01777 274 422
Read about continuing healthcare in Nottinghamshire (NHS Nottinghamshire)
If you live in the city, email NCP.continuingcarenotts@nhs.net
Read about continuing healthcare in Nottingham City (NHS City Care)
Moving to adult health services
If you still see a nurse or therapist as you get older, you might need to move to an adult service between the ages of 16 to 19 years. This is called a 'Transfer' or 'Transition'.
Adult bodies are different to children’s bodies. It is essential that the care you get is appropriate for your age and needs as you grow into an adult.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have developed information specifically for young people, including the main changes in healthcare between are 16 and 18 years and how you can prepare for this.
Read about the Transition to adult health services (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Annual health check
An annual health check can be done by your doctor once a year. Your doctor will take a closer look at how you are doing to make sure you’re healthy. It's available for most people aged 14 years and older with a learning disability at GP surgeries that offer the service.
Find out if you can get a health check by asking your doctor.
You don’t need to be ill to get a health check, but you can ask your doctor about anything that is hurting or worrying you. It's a good way to get to know your doctor better and for them to find out more about you.
Learn more about Annual health checks (NHS)
Mencap also have an easy read guide on annual health checks: Download Annual Health Checks (Mencap) [PDF]
Find out what happens during an annual health check in this 2-minute YouTube video from Mencap:
Adult specialist health support services
These services are specifically for adults with disabilities.
Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability Support Service (NHS)
The Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability Support Service provide assessment and treatment for adults with complex epilepsy and learning disability across Nottinghamshire.
Learn about the Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability Specialist Service (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Specialist Physiotherapy Intellectual Disabilities Service (NHS)
The Specialist Physiotherapy Service work with adults who have an intellectual disability in the city and the county. Physiotherapists help people reach their full physical potential, so that they can be as independent as possible.
Learn about the Specialist Physiotherapy Service Intellectual Disabilities Services (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Adults Occupational Therapy (Nottinghamshire County Council)
Occupational therapy looks for solutions to the practical difficulties that people are experiencing at home as a result of mobility issues and disability.
Depending on needs, the Occupational Therapist can supply equipment and arrange for adaptations and alterations to your home to help manage daily activities.
Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (NHS)
The Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy Service deliver a service to adults (aged 18 and over) in Nottinghamshire County who have acquired swallowing, speech and other communication problems.
They work with people who have therapy needs due to neurological conditions including the following.
- Stroke
- Motor neurone disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Brain injury
- Any other condition that causes swallowing and/or communication difficulties
Learn about the Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy Service (NHS Foundation Trust)
Community Learning Disability Nursing Team (CLDTs) (NHS)
The Community Intellectual Disability Nursing Team are a group of Specialist Learning Disability Nurses who work with adults over age 18 years with a diagnosis of intellectual (learning) disability.
Community nurses can help with:
- emotional and behavioural needs
- understanding your own physical health needs
- communication
- sexual health needs
- getting the right help you need from all health services
Learn about the Community Learning Disability Nursing Team (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Specialist Continence Advisory Service (NHS)
They offer a confidential continence service for people aged over 18 who have complex bladder and bowel problems.
Learn about the Specialist Continence Advisory Service (NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare)
Find more health support services in our directory
For details of more health support organisations and services, go to the Health support directory listings