Support from your GP
Some health services are available to everyone and some require a referral from a professional, such as a GP, dentist, nurse at your child’s school or a paediatrician.Â
In this section we explore a range of health services, which are delivered by a number of different organisations locally to everyone.
Support from your GP (doctor)
A GP (doctor) can treat common medical conditions and refer patients to other medical services for urgent or specialist treatment.
Your GP can support you by making reasonable adjustments if your child has additional needs and/or disabilities. It is important to explain to your doctor what your child’s additional needs are, so that they can provide appropriate support.
Reasonable adjustments could include:
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an appointment at the beginning or end of the day
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a longer appointment time for your child
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an online appointment rather than a face-to-face consultation
It is often useful to check your local doctor’s website for further information about access and special provisions made to support individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). If you cannot find the information you are looking for online, call the surgery or speak to a member of the practice in person.
Find a GP
Registering with a GP is important as you must be registered in order to access health services if you need them. It is worth exploring the services available with different GP practices as some offer more services than others.
You can find out more about local GP surgeries, including how to register, here.
You can also go straight to a directory of GPs and search for a GP by town, city or postcode here.