Health

GP Online

Register here to access to your GP services via the web site or app and you can:-

• Book or cancel appointments online with a GP or nurse
• Order repeat prescriptions online
• View parts of your GP record, including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results
• View clinical correspondence such as hospital discharge summaries, outpatient appointment letters and referral letters
•  Various apps available on android and apple     

NHS Choices - Helping you take control of your health and well being.  

NHS App

Download the free NHS App, or open the NHS website in a web browser, to set up and log in to your NHS account.  Owned and run by the NHS, your NHS account is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online.

Watch the explanatory video on how to access the app and verify your identity etc, 'How to access the NHS App'

The NHS Apps Library helps you to find trusted health and wellbeing apps. These digital tools have been assessed by the NHS as clinically safe and secure to use you can view the library here 

Annual Health check information 14+

People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case.

Annual health checks are for adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability.

An annual health check helps you stay well by talking about your health and finding any problems early, so you get the right care.

You can access Heath checks  from:-

NHS: Annual Health Checks

Mencap : Annual Health Checks 

Personal Health Budgets (PHB’s)

A personal health budget uses NHS funding to create an individually agreed personalised care and support plan that offers people of all ages greater choice and flexibility over how their assessed health and wellbeing needs are met you can find out more about PHB's here.

NHS Continuing Health Care (CHC)

Some people with long-term, complex health needs qualify for free social care, arranged and funded solely by the NHS including Children.

This is known as NHS continuing healthcare and continuing care for children, you can find out more here 

If you are looking for information regarding health visitors or Public Health School Nurses in North Tyneside please click here

The services offered by Northumbria Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust include:

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Community Learning Disability Service

Community Nursing

Community Paediatrician Services

Continence Service

Dietetics

Emergency Care and Treatment

Equipment and Loans Service including Wheelchairs

Health visiting

Healthy weight service

Immunisations

Newborn hearing screening

Occupational Therapy

Physiotherapy

School nursing service

Speech and Language Therapy

Northumbria Healthcare also provides dental services if you need specialist treatment that can't be provided by your own family dental practice. This is available to children and adults. For more information click here.

Sexual Health services

All services related to Sexual Health services and support for Adults and Young people 13+

Bild – Comprehensive web site with many easy read materials available 

Family Planning Association (FPA) - works directly with people with learning disabilities in schools and other settings such as supported living accommodation and day centres. They also facilitate workshops for family carers and training, resources and consultancy for professionals and front line staff. 

MENCAP - Leading voice for those with learning disability. Advice, support and resources available.

NSPCC - Helping young people explore topics such as emotions, relationships and identity

Children and Young people's Mental Health

North Tyneside Council has been working together with partner organisations to develop a model to support the emotional wellbeing of children, young people.  For information about this plan and the organisations supporting it (Connect Mental Health Support Team and Barnardo's Alliance) see here Children and young peoples mental health and emotional wellbeing 

Key worker Service 

Keyworkers are available to children and young people aged 4 -25yrs who have a learning disability and/or autism and who are in an mental health inpatient setting, or who are at  risk of going into an inpatient setting (due to their mental health, autism and/or a learning disability)  Keyworkers support the young person and their family to navigate the system and act as a key contact.  For more information see here : North East and North Cumbria (NE and NC) Keyworker Service - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (cntw.nhs.uk) 

Policy aimed at preventing unnecessary hospital admissions for people with a learning disability and autistic people

A new policy aims to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The policy includes new guidance on the implementation of dynamic support registers and updates to the Care (Education) and treatment reviews.

The easy read and plain English versions of the policy have been co-produced with people with a learning disability and autistic people. If you need this information in an alternative format please email england.CTRDSR@nhs.net

Easy read version

Watch the films below to find out how the Dynamic Support Register (DSR) and Care (Education) and Treatment Review (CETR) policy have been co-produced and how it will help to prevent unnecessary admissions for people with a learning disability and autistic people from the perspective of a:

• A CETR panel member and autistic person
• A family carer

Mental health advice for parents and carers

'This May Help' is a national initiative providing mental health advice to parents and carers who may have concerns about their child's mental health. 

The advice covered on 'This May Help' includes:

• Self-harm,
• Gaming and online activity,
• Teenagers safety,
• Eating disorders,
• School avoidance,
• Understanding mental health,
• Understanding teenagers,
• Online threats,
• Building rapport,
• Building resilience,
• Building a support network,
• Self-care tips,
• Managing an emergency,
• Managing in a crisis, and
• Preparing for a children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) appointment.

These subjects were chosen by families and young people who have gone through their own mental health challenges.

Children & Family Mental Health Support Services

Mindstars CIC support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, together with their parents and guardians, delivering a full family approach. 

Adult Mental Health

Information on how to access support for adult mental health issues can be offered through your workplace, from your GP or on the Mental Wellbeing pages on North Tyneside Council's website   which contains information for all residents about ways to support mental health.

Mental health services: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Adult mental health service is provided by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Autism and learning difficulties support 

Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust- provides mental health, learning disabilities and neuro-rehabilitation services. The website has a wide range of self- help guides for people looking for support with their mental health.

Some children and young people (up to age 18), may have very complex health needs.

These may be the result of:

• Congenital conditions
• Long-term or life-limiting conditions
• Disability
• Serious illness or injury

Children with such complex needs may need additional health support to that which is routinely available from GP practices, hospitals or in the community.

This additional package of care is called continuing care. The Clinical Commissioning Group, which arranges health services locally, has responsibility for assessing children and young people to see if they need a package of continuing care.

You can find more information about the children and young people’s continuing care national framework, including a guide for young people and parents here

There are two information sheets below which give further information and explain the eligibility criteria, along with a leaflet for parents and carers, which includes contact details. There is also a document showing the remit of the Complex Case Panel. The remit of the Panel includes considering the needs of children and young people who are eligible for either: children's continuing care, non-commissioned pathways of health and care, joint care between CCG and local authority.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) is a package of care for adults aged 18 or over which is arranged and funded solely by the NHS. In order to receive NHS CHC funding individuals, have to be assessed by integrated commissioning boards (ICBs) according to a legally prescribed decision making process to determine whether the individual has a ‘primary health need’.

Public Information leaflet link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-continuing-healthcare-and...

A personal health budget uses NHS funding to create an individually agreed personalised care and support plan, that offers people of all ages greater choice and flexibility over how their assessed health and wellbeing needs are met.

The personalised care and support planning conversation identifies the care, support and services the personal health budget will be spent on. This can include a range of things to give people access to care, support and services that are holistic, innovative and build on their strengths.

More information is available here 

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust provides a range of children's health services.

Newcastle hospitals NHS

Easyhealth - An index of pages of information in easy read format for people with learning disabilities.

A Weight Off Your Mind - Would you like to lose weight or support someone else to do so? Here you will find a range of useful information and resources available in the North East region including a Weight Management Plan for people with Severe Mental illness and/or a learning disability.

Learning Disability Matters for Families - For parents and carers of children and young people.

• Who have been identified as having a learning disability
• Who have concerns that their child or young person MIGHT have a learning disability(screening tool, support services, advice and guidance)

LD North East/North Tyneside CCG Health & Wellbeing Project - Aims to drive down health inequalities and improve access to health services for people who have a learning disability.

There are 5 main areas to the project:

• Diabetes education programme
• Educational workshops and activities
• Support and signposting
• Easy read resources
• Support with key public health messages

Health cards 

LD NE have produced health cards which use Easy Read Text and pictures to explain what may happen during a medical or health related appointment.

Living Well North Tyneside

Help for residents to find out what’s happening in their local area and help them access information, advice, support as well as events and activities to help them live well.

access social media by searching for @LivingWellNT 

My Care North Tyneside is an information and advice website about care and support options for residents in North Tyneside.

My Care offers information and advice on a range of care and support options for your child and for you as a carer. It will ensure you are informed and can make your own choices about the care and support provided to your child. It will also help you to identify your own support needs as a carer.

You can browse the New Living Well North Tyneside website for services, groups and activities that may help your child and yourself, as their carer.

Should you need any help navigating the website, or need any further care with help and support, please feel free to contact us:

Telephone: (0191) 643 2777
Email: childrenandadultscontactcentre@northtyneside.gov.uk

Emotional Health and Well being

CAMHS - Useful resources to support Health & Well Being

STOMP AND STAMP - Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics (STAMP)

NHS England have collaborated in a new piece of work which looks at how we can support children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both better.

Young Minds - leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. We’re here to make sure they get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties. Website with support and advice for professionals, parents and Young people. 

Young Minds blog - where to look for support while you are on the CAMHS waiting list.

The Children’s society – Mental and emotional health advice for children and young people. Support and advice resource.

Barnardo's - protect, support and nurture the UK's most vulnerable children. Support for families, Children and young people.

Kooth –Free, safe anonymous online support for young people. Online councillors available 7 days a week offering techniques and strategies for managing emotional wellbeing.

Better Health Every Mind Matters  is Public Health England's campaign which provides helpful tips for young people, parents and carers. There are designated pages to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and also provides advice that can help maintain good mental wellbeing.

YoungMinds Parents Helpline is available for parents, guardians and carers and you can call them on 0808 802 5544; 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays. 

Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides free crisis support during a crisis – this is available every day of the week, at any time day or night. All that is required is to text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus. 

Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life, and all their advice is confidential. Their helpline – HOPELineUK – can be reached on 0800 068 41 41 or one can text them on 07786 209 687 (lines are open every day from 9am to midnight). 

Childline offer support to CYP under 19, and they confidentially call, email, or chat online about any problem, big or small. Their freephone 24-hour helpline is 0800 1111. You can sign up for a Childline account on their website and you will then be able to message a counsellor anytime without using an email address. Or you can have a one-to-one chat with an online advisor. 

SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258. This service is free on all major mobile networks. 

Samaritans are an organisation who are available at any time of the day or night. They will help the CYP and listen to how they are feeling. They can be reached on 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org.   

Physical Health including Continence support

Living Well North Tyneside - Support and more information about Loan equipment and the referral process through Living Well North Tyneside.

Northumbria Wheelchair Centre - Offers support and more information on the referral process in loaning, prescribing and loaning wheelchairs including powered and manual wheelchairs. 

ERIC - The Children’s bladder and bowel charity. Links for parents and professionals. Loads of resources and support

Cerebra – Support for families with Brain conditions. Families where a child has a brain condition face challenges every day. Just to learn, play, make friends, enjoy and experience the world can feel difficult, even impossible. But we don’t believe there is any challenge that can’t be over come. Our Mission is to listen to families that include children with brain conditions. We use what they tell us to inspire the best research and innovation. Then we help them put the knowledge into practice so they can discover a better life together.

North Tyneside Young Carers - Work with young carers and their families. The young carers team provide practical and emotional support to young carers around their caring role.

Eatwell Plate- Use the Eatwell Guide to help you get a balance of healthier and more sustainable food. It shows how much of what you eat overall should come from each food group.

Symbolised recipes - Healthy recipes from Tom Kerridge and Ainsley Harriot 

Arthritis foundation - The Arthritis Foundation leads the way in providing support to children with juvenile arthritis and their families.

Steps - Steps is the national charity working for all those whose lives are affected by childhood lower limb conditions. Whatever the lower limb condition, whatever the stage of life and whatever the reason, Steps is here for those families.  By providing a sympathetic ear, clear information and helpful advice – all combined with the reassurance of years of experience – we help families to find the best way forward.

Scoliosis Association - SAUK is the only UK wide patient support organisation for people with scoliosis and their families. Our aim is to provide advice, support, and information to people  affected by scoliosis and their families and raise awareness of scoliosis among health professionals and the general public.

Little people UK - essential resource for little people and their families.

LD North East/North Tyneside CCG Health & Wellbeing Project - Aims to drive down health inequalities and improve access to health services for people who have a learning disability.

There are 5 main areas to the project:

• Diabetes education programme
• Educational workshops and activities
• Support and signposting
• Easy read resources
• Support with key public health messages

Health cards  LD NE have produced health cards which use Easy Read Text and pictures to explain what may happen during a medical or health related appointment.

Genetic disorders - Genetic Disorders UK is a registered charity with a vision to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by genetic disorders.

Internet safety

MENCAP – LD, Autism and Internet safety.

Autism Toolbox - This online resource complements the original Autism Toolbox developed by the National Centre for Autism Studies and launched in 2009. The Autism Toolbox is a resource to support the inclusion of children and young people with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream education services . The site also includes  a large online library of internet safety websites and resources. 

General Internet Safety

Transforming care

Autism Diagnosis

If you think your child might have signs of autism the next step is to talk to someone about it. You could speak to a GP, health visitor (for children under 5) and any other health professional you or your child see, such as a doctor or therapist, special educational needs (SENCO) staff at your child’s school. In Northumberland and North Tyneside, there are four autism diagnostic services, depending on the age of the child or young person.  Find out how we diagnose autism and what to expect if your child is diagnosed with autism here Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Support :: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust another useful link in relation to Learning Disabilities and Autism services 

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance and Standards

The main elements from NICE on undertaking autism diagnostic assessments are set out in their guidance here.

This includes information on the referral route / process, the diagnostic and assessment process that is used, what post diagnostic services / support should be available and how this is monitored and evaluated.

Health professionals must inform the Local Authority where the child is ordinarily resident, if they identify a child under compulsory school age as having, or probably having, SEN or a disability (SEND Code of Practice 2015, 1.16). 

Do not submit a health notification if…

• A child has an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP).
   
• A child is in a mainstream school nursery or Reception place.
   
• A child has Early Years Inclusion Funding or Early Years Inclusion Service (EYIS) involved.

Do submit a health notification if…

• The child between the age of 0-5years has or probably has more complex needs that may require additional support and resources other than that which is ordinarily available, who is not in an early years provision.
   
• A child between the age of 0-5 years has or have complicated and complex needs that may require additional support and resources other than that which is ordinarily available, who is in a private early years setting or with a childminder.
   
• A child between the age of 0-5 years has or have complicated and complex needs that may require additional support and resources other than that which is ordinarily available, if parents/carers are struggling to find an early years setting for their child.

​Inform the Local Authority

I am a health professional wishing to inform North Tyneside Local Authority about a pre-school age child who has or probably has special educational needs (SEN) or a disability.

Submit a health notification

To make a complaint about services in the Northumbria NHS Trust please see how to make a complaint here