Some parts of our assessment processes are held on set days due to the availability of multi disciplinary professionals and to ensure we are able to meet our ever growing service need. Where we can flexible we will endeavour to do so however please be mindful of this if we can not accommodate an alternative day and time.
For the majority of children accessing our service, care is provided in conjunction with other agencies and NHS trusts. Children should receive appropriate, high quality care that is integrated and coordinated around their health needs whilst taking into account any additional factors. We strive to try and achieve this where possible.
We are always looking at ways to improve the quality of care we provide and we want you and your family to let us know how we can be even better. Please tell us what you think about our service, we would like to know if we do not meet the standards we have set but also if you were happy with your experience within our service.
What we do
We provide community and neurodevelopmental services for children and young people across Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire (Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale).
Neurodevelopmental
- Developmental problems diagnostic assessment – and medical management via CDC services (preschool)
- Developmental Co-ordination disorder diagnostic assessment (6-16 years)
- ADHD diagnostic assessment in primary school-aged children (5 -11 years)
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders Diagnostic assessment (for children and young people up to the age of 16 years)
For access to the Autism Referral Form please click on this link: ELHT ASD pathway CYP referral form
To use this form you must have the adobe reader program in order to fill in and send. (Please note: you must download this form to your computer and then complete the saved version) This form will not work if opened in the web browser!
- Download the form to your device
- Open the Form in Adobe Reader
- Complete all Fields before submitting
- Send the form via the email button
If you wish to discuss a child prior to making a referral, please contact the ELHT ASD pathway CYP team on 01282 804393. Email completed forms to ELHTCYPAutismreferrals@elht.nhs.uk.
Neurodisability
- Cerebral Palsy diagnosis and medical management (0-16 years)
- Assessment of ongoing effects of head injuries in children 0-16 years (non-acute)
- Medical aetiological investigation of school-age children with moderate to severe learning disabilities (5-16 years)
- Medical management of complex neurological or genetic conditions (in association with other specialist services).
Community/statutory
- Medical advice for Integrated Assessments for Education Health Care Plans
- Initial Health assessments for Children coming Into Care (Looked After Children).
- Health assessments of children being placed for adoption.
The service aims to provide medical assessment and diagnostics within the expertise of Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics for the population of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. the service is available up to the age of 16, excepting those with complex disabilities who are attending special schools who are seen up to age 19.
This specialist area of Community and Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics covers two distinct broad areas of service - Neurodevelopmental (Neurodisability and Neurobehavioural conditions) and Community (LAC and adoption medical assessments, aspects of Safeguarding and medical advice for Special Educational Needs (SEND).
It focuses on the multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessment for children with the following health needs, and with medical aspects of management.
Referrals will be accepted for triage from GPs, Paediatricians, School Nurses, Health Visitors and Therapists (Speech and language, physiotherapy and occupational therapy), Psychologists and Psychiatrics, Children’s Social Care (Social Workers, Education (Specialist teachers and SenCo’s).
Please note that in order to maximise effective use of the service, referrals are reviewed in advance of offering appointments and may be returned with information on a more appropriate service or redirected if not appropriate to the service/more information required.
Community Paediatric and Neurodevelopmental clinics at:
- Royal Blackburn Hospital
- Burnley General Hospital – Rainbow Outpatients, The Rainbow Centre, Level 7 Floor 1.
- Clitheroe Community Hospital
- Holly House, Child Development Centre, Acorn Centre, Accrington
- Livsey All Age Children’s Centre
- Shadsworth Childrens Centre
- St Peter's Health Centre, Burnley
- Barbara Castle Way Health Centre
- Darwen Health Centre
- Rossendale Primary Care Health Centre
- Holly House, Acorn Centre, Accrington
We also provide clinic’s within some special schools, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Integrated Locality Teams
Dr Sheila Reilly – Clinical Lead
Catherine Whitney – Matron for Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics
Dr S Perera – Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, BwD
Dr S Ariyaratnam - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, BwD
Dr D Ratnaweera – Specialist Doctor Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, BwD
Dr K Rakshi - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, Burnley Pendle
Dr L Williams - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, Burnleya and Pendle
Dr S Stuart – Booth - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, Burnley and Pendle
Dr S Malakar - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale
Dr S Reilly - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale
Dr S Valli - Consultant Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician (locum), Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale
Dr T Yasawardena - Specialist Doctor Community Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale (on secondment until March 2019)
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We offer a Monday to Friday service between the hours of 8:30am and 5pm. We are closed during bank holiday and the Christmas period.
You can find our patient information leaflet via this link to its dedicated page on our website.
A pdf download is also available via this download link, although please note that this is a downloadable PDF document and may not be in an accessible format. (0.7mb)
Additional Information
Some parts of our assessment processes are held on set days due to the availability of multi disciplinary professionals and to ensure we are able to meet our ever growing service need. Where we can flexible we will endeavour to do so however please be mindful of this if we can not accommodate an alternative day and time.
For the majority of children accessing our service, care is provided in conjunction with other agencies and NHS trusts. Children should receive appropriate, high quality care that is integrated and coordinated around their health needs whilst taking into account any additional factors. We strive to try and achieve this where possible.
We are always looking at ways to improve the quality of care we provide and we want you and your family to let us know how we can be even better. Please tell us what you think about our service, we would like to know if we do not meet the standards we have set but also if you were happy with your experience within our service.