Local Health Services for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Staying well is essential to the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of all children and young people in Derby and Derbyshire. The NHS provide 'Universal Health Services' that everyone can use, however, some children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities may need to access more 'targeted' or 'specialist' health services to support their health needs.
- Your general practitioner (GP) is your 'family doctor' and the main point of contact for general healthcare for NHS patients & treats all common medical conditions.
- Your public health nursing team/ family health Services are available to all families including those (0-19 years) who are pre-school aged or who are not educated in a nursery, school or college setting.
- The GP and public health nursing services provide support to keep your family healthy and may refer on to other targeted or specialist health services, such as the ones listed in this section if required.
GPs
If you have a health problem, the GP should be the first contact unless it is an emergency. They provide health advice and help to treat many conditions. You will also find that your GP can refer you to other NHS health services if needed. The links in this section will help you find a GP to suit your needs as some GP services may offer more services than others. Registering for a GP is free to anyone in England. To sign up you do not need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number.
The accessibility of GP surgeries varies, however they must adhere to certain standards. To view these standards, learn more about reasonable adjustments.
Public Health Nursing
Derbyshire Family Health Service are a team of healthcare professionals, that include health visitors and school nurses. They are here to support you and your family as part of the 0-19 year olds free public health and wellbeing services. From birth to early adulthood, this website and the team are here to provide you with the support and information you need to keep your family healthy. This includes:
Dental Services
Dentists are the frontline for good oral health. They work with communities to prevent and treat dental/oral disease, correct dental irregularities and treat dental/facial injuries. It is important to visit an NHS Dentist twice a year, even if you are not experiencing problems. Your NHS dentist will provide any clinically necessary treatment needed to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy and free of pain.
Learn more about what happens when you visit an NHS Dentist
Learn more about dental treatment for people with special needs
Pharmacies
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you to get clinical advice and over-the-counter medication which can treat a range of minor illnesses or health concerns such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains, blood pressure checks and more. If your symptoms suggest that your illness is something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to offer advice about whether you should see your GP, nurse or other healthcare professional. Most pharmacies have a safe space to make sure you can have a chat in private. It might be easier for you to visit a pharmacy as you do not need an appointment.
Learn more about how your pharmacy can help
Opticians
An optician is a healthcare professional who specialises in fitting, adjusting, and dispensing corrective lenses for patients based on prescriptions from ophthalmologists or optometrists. They help individuals achieve optimal vision through the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids. An optician may refer you to a hospital under circumstances that require more advanced medical care or specialised diagnostic tests, but this will always be discussed with you.
Learn about visiting an Optician
Learn about free NHS sight tests and optical vouchers
Accident and Emergency (A&E), and Minor Injuries
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in UK hospitals are specialised units designed to provide immediate care for individuals who have suffered serious injuries or sudden illnesses. If your problem isn't an emergency, you may choose to visit a Minor Injury Unit. Minor Injury Units are healthcare facilities designed to treat less serious injuries and illnesses that do not require the full services of an A&E department. You may also choose to call 111 to receive advice.
Ambulance Services
Ambulance services provide emergency medical care and transportation for individuals who are sick or injured. Ambulances are dispatched in response to 999 calls or other emergency requests. They are equipped to handle a wide range of medical emergencies, from heart attacks and strokes to traumatic injuries and severe illnesses. In addition to emergency responses, ambulance services also provide non-emergency medical transportation. This includes transporting patients between medical facilities, to and from appointments, or for other medically necessary trips.
Learn about the East Midlands Ambulance Service