Health and SEND

Pharmacists are experts in medicine and can help you with minor health concerns. This includes:

• coughs
• colds
• sore throats
• tummy trouble
• aches and pain

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You don't need an appointment to speak to a pharmacist.

Find out more about how pharmacists can help

Your local doctor (GP surgery) can treat many conditions and provide health advice. They can also refer you to other NHS services. You can register for free with a Doctor/GP, usually your most local one, which will give you access to NHS services.

Find out how to register with a GP surgery

Health visitors and school nurses will review your child's health and wellbeing as part of the Healthy Child Programme.

They can provide advice and support about your child’s:

• medical needs
• social needs
• emotional needs
• physical health needs
• school readiness

The services can also support with immunisations/vaccinations to protect your child.

If your health visitor thinks your child may need extra support when they attend school, they may notify the Council. They will inform the Council of your child’s additional needs by completing an Early Years Notification.

They might also suggest that your child is seen by a Paediatrician. This is a specialist in child development and disabilities.

It is important to have regular checkups with a dentist. Detecting problems with teeth and gums early can mean they are easier to treat.

Find an NHS dentist

Some people may not be able to get to their local dental practice because of a disability or medical condition. In this case, the dentist should refer you to a more specialised dental service. Ask your dentist or GP what is needed for a referral and if it is suitable in your case.

Thames Valley Community Dental Service provide specialist dental support to children and adults in Buckinghamshire. They can offer treatment to patients who may have:

• a learning disability,
• a physical disability,
• a dental phobia,
• a medical condition that means they need extra care.

Children and young people under 18 can have a free NHS sight test.

The optician will look at your child’s eyes and ask what they can see to check whether they need glasses. They may also see other issues with eyes which may need treatment. The Squint Clinic videos give an introduction to what to expect at an eye appointment.

If necessary, they'll refer your child to a GP or a hospital eye clinic for further investigations. In Buckinghamshire, the hospital service is Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust Ophthalmology.

Find an optician for an NHS sight test

The Visual Processing Difficulties Clinic (NHS) is a service that identifies and corrects visual difficulties. These difficulties could contribute to a child having a reading or specific learning difficulty.

If you give birth in a hospital, you may be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you're discharged. Otherwise, it will be done by a healthcare professional, assistant or health visitor within the first few weeks. You'll be contacted by your local newborn hearing screening service to arrange a suitable time and venue.

Your child may have a hearing test as part of their health and development reviews

Hearing tests are available free on the NHS. A GP may refer your child to a hearing specialist (audiologist) for a test. In Buckinghamshire, the hospital service is Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust Audiology

Buckinghamshire Integrated Sensory Service (BISS) provides free advice and support to adults and children with sensory disabilities across Buckinghamshire.