Community Paediatrics

Community Paediatrics is managed as one service across Lothian with consultant-led teams of Paediatricians based in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. We accept referrals for children and young people up to their 16th birthday or whilst still in full time secondary education, who experience social communication difficulties, sensory impairment, medical needs associated with vulnerability or there is suspicion of developmental delay or significant disability. Please see “Referral Guidelines” below for further information.

We offer a holistic assessment using multi-disciplinary teams when required, depending on the issues raised. We also offer email and telephone advice to professionals involved in the care of a child.

Review Appointments
Our aim is to provide the review based on the needs of the child and at a time and location that is suitable.
We do not offer routine annual review except in a small number of specific conditions requiring surveillance. Children and young people with stable neurodevelopmental problems and no unmet health needs will be discharged. Re-referral is appropriate if there are new neurodevelopmental concerns.

Appointment Enquiries

For enquiries about clinic appointments and waiting lists please contact the Children’s Waiting List Team on 0131 312 0522 or ChildrensWaitingListTeam@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk opens a new window

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Who can refer:

Referrals are considered from General Practitioners, Health Visitors and other professionals working with a child or young person. We consider referrals directly from schools and other education staff.

Who to refer:

For children and young people with social communication difficulties and possible autism spectrum disorder, new referrals will be considered for children under the age of 7 years. Referrals are accepted up to end of primary school in West Lothian.

Referrals will be considered for any child or young person who has:

Red flags suggestive of an autism spectrum disorder. See Information Leaflet “Paeds ASD assessment diagnosis” in Resources and Links tab
Suspected neurodevelopmental disorder or disability. Children (under age 7 years, may be seen in Community Paediatrics where wider neurodevelopmental assessment is appropriate before referral to CAMHS for ADHD assessment
A suspected or known genetic condition which affects developmental progress
New neurodevelopmental concerns in a child or young person with a developmental disorder or disability.

East Lothian Neurodevelopmental (ND) Pathway

In East Lothian we are currently operating a pilot multi-agency ND pathway for all ND assessments including developmental delay, autism, ADHD and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

For preschool children – Health Visitors should be the first point of contact to make the referral so families should be encouraged to seek a referral though them.

For school age children – Schools/nurseries should be the first point of contact to make the referral so families should be encouraged to seek a referral through them.

GPs and other healthcare professionals can also refer using this pathway. For information on how to refer please follow this link to the East Lothian Mental Health and Wellbeing Service – Single Point of Access East Lothian – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (nhslothian.scot) opens a new window

Who not to refer:

Concerns about possible autism spectrum disorder in a child or young person 7 years or older in – please refer to CAMHS ASD opens a new window
ADHD assessment. Once completed their first term of Primary School please refer to CAMHS – See ADHD Paeds opens a new window
Concerns about academic progress and learning in school-age children. Families should be signposted to discuss with education staff
Behavioural problems not associated with developmental problems or disability
- For pre-school children contact their health visitor
- For school age children with suspected mental health disorder See CAMHS opens a new window RefHelp pages
Signpost to local parenting supports. See Resources and Links tab
Isolated language difficulties
- consider referral to paediatric speech and language therapy service (see Resources and Links tab) and audiology opens a new window
Medical problems not associated with developmental problems or disability. These children should be referred to the relevant medical specialty
Sleep problems not associated with developmental problems or disability. See Resources and Links tab
Isolated feeding difficulties
Enuresis See Urinary Incontinence and Constipation pathway opens a new window
Young people over the age of 16 years who are not in full time secondary education.

How to refer:

Please send electronic referral via SCIgateway to the relevant site (based on patient location) Musselburgh Primary Care Centre or RHCYP > Community Paediatrics.

Our referral form CCH_referral_form docx opens a new window aids referrers by specifying the relevant information we would like included in a referral.

Referrals are also accepted by completing the referral form above and emailing this to ChildrensWaitingListTeam@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk opens a new window

Advice

We are happy to offer non-urgent advice about new referrals or patients known to our service. Please refer via SCIgateway indicating you are seeking advice and not necessarily expecting an appointment.

We are also happy to offer telephone advice

–          Edinburgh 0131 312 0505
–          East and Mid Lothian 0131 446 4123
–          West Lothian   01506 524403

For advice by email about children and young people already known to our service, please use cch.lothianadmin@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk opens a new window