Be Healthy
School Medical Support
The specialist Assessment and Treatment team at david lewis has considerable experience in the management of epilepsy, learning disability and other neurological disorders. The aim of this team is to work with both families and their colleagues in Education and Life Skills Services, which includes the david lewis school, to help children with epilepsy and other neurological impairments reach their maximum potential by ensuring high standards of medical care and diagnosis.
david lewis Assessment and Treatment services are recognised as being amongst the leading providers in their field and has very close links with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. As part of the managed clinical network for epilepsy, audit, research and regular post-graduate meetings take place at our central location in Warford, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
Day to day medical care is provided by a specialist children's team comprising of doctors, nurses and health care assistants. The are on hand to manage general medical problems as well as managing child epilepsy. Our specialists include: Paediatric Medical Director, Dr Tim Martland,Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Tim is a reknowned specialist in managing complex epilepsy in children from the North West of England and is involved in the managed clinical network for epilepsy; Dr Michael Clarke, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at Leeds.Formerly of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Michael has wide experience in learning disability, epilepsy and physical disabilities; Dr Dan Hindley, Consultant Paediatrician in Bolton with special interest in learning disability and epilepsy and Dr Hilary Lloyd, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Hilary is well known for her interest in learning disability and autism in the context of child psychiatry.
Assessment and Treatment Services include:
EEG Services
david lewis has an on-site EEG Department which can carry out emergency EEGs, standard EEGs and long term Ambulatory EEGs.
Dental Services
Many of the children have never received adequate dental care before their arrival. Often been due to their autism and difficulties with visiting the dentist. At david lewis we beleive dental care is an inportant part of health and well being. We have a dedicated dentist and dental nurse who work very hard to care for the children’s teeth. A study carried out at david lewis showed children receiving regular dental care at david lewis with decayed, missing and filled teeth repersented an index of 20% compared to children in Greater Manchester with an index of 56%.
Pharmacy
david lewis has a dedicated, on-site Pharmacy from which we are able to supply a childs' medication both whilst they are here in term time or when they are on home leave. (This provision is currently being reviewed.)
Physiotherapy
david lewis has a dedicated Physiotherapy Department run by our highly skilled team. It provides physio assessment and treatment to all our service users as and when they are required . Our extensive facilties include a hydrotherapy pool and state of the art treatment rooms.
Speech & Language Therapy
All our Education and Life skills services place 'Learner Voice' at the centre of all we do. The School Speech & Language Therapist is responsible for assessing and monitoring the communication needs of all the children and helping them develop their communication further. We provide both individual and group therapy to all our learners who are also supported by our team of therapy assistants. Our focus at david lewis is providing everyone with the methods, tools, skills and most of all the opportunity to communicate so they can be heard.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy helps maximise each child's functional independence. Our therapists provide:
- Appropriate assessment.
- Training and support for learners, carers and parents.
- Adaptation to the environment using equipment and compensatory techniques.
- Purposeful activity as treatment.
Dietetics
A Paediatric Dietician visits reguarly visits david lewis, working with our multi-disciplinary teams to provide additional expertise and support.
Optometry
A Community Optometrist with a special interest in children with learning disabilities visits the school weekly to test the children's vision. All our children receive an annual review or more often if required.
Psychology
Our staff are assisted in managing the behaviour of young people by our Behavioural Support Advisors, part of david lewis' Psychological Services. Our advisors work with staff and learners from the start . Whether they be a referral to our school or entering our college and undertaking the transition into adult life. They work closely with our staff to ensure behaviour management standards are consistant. This includes input into a wide range of staff training including acting as BILD accredited trainers in physical interventions. Supervision is carried out by our Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychologist who also provides psychology input and advice to the school.
Audiology
A Paediatric Audiologist visit the Centre annually.
Genetics
Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Dr Bronwyn Kerr provides on site, bi- yearly consultation at david lewis for those children requiring a genetics opinion. In the interim genetic testing (where appropriate) can be arranged.
Podiatry
A Community Podiatrist (Chiropodist) carries out regular sessions at the Centre.
Exercise and Obesity
Exercise is a very important part of the curriculum at the david lewis school. First and foremost it is fun and secondly it provides benefits for the health and well- being of our learners. We encourage all our learners to take part in a full range of sporting and leisure activities which include: Walking, cycling, swimming, trampolining to name but a few.
Our two experienced and qualified PE teachers follow the national curriculum guidelines in addition to incorporating extra activities which have been specially devised by the team. All children participate in PE activities. The school uses the “Equals” curriculum and the “Equals” scheme of work for children with severe learning difficulties which was co-written by a member of the team and will be published nationally in the near future. Activities covered include athletics, games, gymnastics, outdoor education, swimming, dance and trampolining.
A retrospective audit at david lewis has shown that whilst nationally 25% of schoolchildren are overweight or obese at david lewis only 15% of the children at our school were overweight or obese. This has been achieved by the focused teamwork of staff in school, particularly PE staff, our care staff and the input of our Paediatric Dietician. Regular exercise has other benefits too, particularly in the outdoors.Vitamin D is produced in the body by the effect of the sun on the skin and, therefore, outdoor exercise helps to ensure healthy bones in children. Children at david lewis have been shown to have normal levels of vitamin D despite the fact that they have risk factors such as anticonvulsants, immobility and sometimes poor dietary intake. .
Vaccination
All children are offered vaccinations in accordance with the national recommendations. Children at around the age of 15 will be offered diphtheria, tetanus and polio. All children will be offered the chance to receive a Hepatitis B vaccination. Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver which is much more common in those living in residential accommodation for people with learning disabilities. The vaccine (a course of 3) is always given with parental consent and we have achieved over 90% uptake of this vaccine in the children. If vaccines have been missed for any reason, for example MMR, Meningitis C these can be given as catch up vaccines whilst your child is attending our school.
All children are offered flu vaccinations subject to parental consent. It should be noted that the children living in residence are at higher risk of flu .
Sexual Health is initially dealt with as part of PSE in the school curriculum. Pupils also have the chance for individual sessions with the school PSE coordinator where individual issues can be addressed or discussed.
Support for Parents
Parents are welcome to telephone the children’s nursing team or doctors if they have any matters of concern. There is regular and frequent telephone and documented contact with house staff and school staff. Parents visit freely and take their children home for weekends or out for the day. When children return to school or college on the Sunday before term starts senior staff are not only there to welcome our learners but available to parents should they wish to discuss anything with them. All parents are encouraged to drop in to david lewis, have a coffee and talk with each other and our staff members.
We have three parental governors represented on the school governing body. One of which is the author of our ‘Handbook for Parents’, which aims to tell parents the things they need to know about having a child here, which they may not be able to get from our written material or prospectus.
