Borough: Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest – Learning Disabilities (LD) and SEND

This portal provides information and resources for GPs and primary care teams supporting patients with Learning Disabilities (LD) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It includes guidance, referral forms, training links, and patient resources.

What is a Learning Disability, Learning Difficulty, and Special Educational Needs?

  • Learning Disability refers to a lifelong condition that affects how a person understands information and learns new skills. It can impact daily life and communication.
  • Learning Difficulty usually means challenges with specific skills such as reading, writing, or math (for example, dyslexia), but does not affect overall intelligence.
  • Special Educational Needs (SEND) is a broader term that covers children and young people who require additional or different support in education due to learning disabilities, difficulties, or other needs.

How GP Practice Staff Can Help

GP practice staff play a crucial role in identifying and supporting patients with learning disabilities, difficulties, or SEND by:

  • Communicating clearly and patiently, using simple language
  • Being aware of individual needs and adjustments, such as longer appointments
  • Supporting access to annual health checks and appropriate referrals
  • Signposting patients and families to local resources and support services
Waltham Forest Local Offer

The Waltham Forest Local Offer is an online resource designed to provide children and young people aged 0–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their families, with easy access to information about the support and services available locally.

What the Local Offer Helps With

The Local Offer brings together information on education, health, and social care services, making it easier for families and professionals to find and access support. It covers:

  • Education — Schools, colleges, early years settings, and support for learning needs
  • Health Services — Therapy, mental health support, and specialist assessments
  • Social Care — Respite care, short breaks, and personal budgets
  • Transition to Adulthood — Support with preparing for work, further education, and independent living
  • Parent and Carer Support — Advice, groups, advocacy, and training

By providing clear and up-to-date information, the Local Offer empowers families and professionals to make informed decisions and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

How to Access the Local Offer

You can explore the full Waltham Forest Local Offer online here:
Local Offer: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) | London Borough of Waltham Forest

How GPs Can Use the Local Offer

  • Signpost families and carers to the Local Offer website for information and support
  • Understand the range of services and pathways available locally
  • Support coordinated care planning by referring to appropriate resources
Waltham Forest Local Offer: Health Services

The Health Pages within the Waltham Forest Local Offer provide detailed information on health services available to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

What the Health Pages Include

  • Therapies: Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and other specialist therapies
  • Mental Health Support: Access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), emotional wellbeing support, and counselling
  • Specialist Clinics and Assessments: Information on health assessments, developmental checks, and medical reviews
  • Support for Complex Health Needs: Guidance for families managing long-term or complex health conditions
  • Health Visitors and School Nurses: Support available through community health teams

These pages help families and professionals understand what health services are available, how to access them, and who to contact for advice or referrals.

Access the Waltham Forest Local Offer Health Pages

Explore the health-related support and services here:
Health services for children and young people | London Borough of Waltham Forest

How GPs Can Use This Resource

  • Guide families to relevant health services and pathways
  • Access up-to-date contact details and referral information
  • Enhance coordination between health, education, and social care
Waltham Forest Local Offer: Going to Hospital

The Going to Hospital section of the Waltham Forest Local Offer is designed to support children, young people with SEND, and their families by providing clear information about what to expect when attending hospital appointments or stays.

What This Page Covers

  • Preparing for Hospital Visits: Practical tips and advice on how to get ready for appointments and inpatient stays
  • Hospital Support Services: Information about specialist nurses, therapists, and hospital liaison teams that help children and families during their visit
  • Communication Support: Guidance on how to access communication aids, easy-read information, and advocacy services during hospital care
  • Managing Anxiety and Sensory Needs: Strategies to help reduce stress and make hospital environments more comfortable for children with sensory sensitivities or anxiety
  • Contact Details: Key hospital departments and teams to support families throughout the hospital journey

How GPs Can Use This Resource

  • Reassure families by providing clear, accessible information about hospital experiences
  • Help coordinate care by referring to hospital support services and contact points
  • Signpost to practical tools and resources to ease hospital visits for children with SEND

Access the Going to Hospital Page

Find detailed guidance and resources here:
Going to hospital | London Borough of Waltham Forest

My_health_passport WFDownload
Staff Training Pack

This pack has been developed as a comprehensive resource for GP practice staff inductions and ongoing training. It provides essential information on learning disabilities and special educational needs (SEND), aimed at supporting ALL staff in delivering person centred care. The pack also includes helpful signposting to relevant websites and resources to assist staff in accessing further guidance and support.

RECEPTION TRAINING FINAL DRAFT 2Download

Training and Professional development

Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism – elearning for healthcare

NHSE elfh Hub

Annual Health Checks for People with Learning Disabilities

Annual Health Checks are an important part of supporting young people/adults with learning disabilities to stay healthy. These checks help identify health needs early, manage existing conditions, and promote overall wellbeing.

What the Annual Health Check Involves

  • A comprehensive health review by a GP or practice nurse
  • Assessment of physical and mental health, including medications, lifestyle, and screening
  • Identification of any new health issues or risks
  • Development of a health action plan tailored to individual needs
  • Referral to specialists or support services as needed

Who is Eligible?

  • People aged 14 and over with a diagnosed learning disability
  • People registered on a GP Learning Disability (LD) register

Why Annual Health Checks Matter

  • People with learning disabilities often have unmet health needs
  • Early detection of conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or mental health issues
  • Improved access to health services and tailored care

Signposting for Waltham Forest GPs

  • For all Waltham Forest LD Clinical Departments please contact:

Community Learning Disability Team Waltham Forest
30 Coleridge Road
Walthamstow London
E17 6QU

Telephone: 020 8928 8300

Email: WF.CLDTHealth@nelft.nhs.uk

Opening hours:  Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding Bank Holidays)

Mental Health Direct

If you need urgent assistance or crisis support for mental health, please call our NELFT Crisis Line Mental Health Direct on 0800 995 1000. This is a freephone number and callers will not be charged.

We can arrange for you to speak with a mental health professional. We can also advise you about what service to contact to get the support you need.

Or you can telephone/dial 111 for NHS 111, and select ‘Option 2’ for Mental Health. This will be an additional way to contact crisis services and will not be replacing the 0800 number above.

Community Learning Disability Team – Waltham Forest | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

How to Raise a Safeguarding Concern in Waltham Forest

For Adults:

For Children:

Out of Hours (Adults and Children):

020 8496 3000 (ask for the Emergency Duty Team)

GP Responsibilities in Safeguarding

  • Be alert to signs of abuse or neglect in patients or carers
  • Record concerns accurately and sensitively in clinical notes
  • Share concerns with safeguarding leads or designated professionals
  • Refer directly to social care or MASH as needed
Request for Help, Support, Protection or SafeguardingDownload

Further Support and Resources

emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk.

Mental Capacity

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) provides a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of individuals aged 16 and over who may lack the capacity to make specific decisions for themselves at a given time. This law applies across England and Wales, including in Waltham Forest.

Key Principles of the Mental Capacity Act

  • Presume capacity unless it’s proven otherwise
  • Provide support to help people make decisions
  • A person is not to be treated as unable to decide just because they make an unwise decision
  • Any action or decision must be in the person’s best interests
  • Choose the least restrictive option possible

When to Assess Capacity

A capacity assessment is required when there’s a concern that someone may not be able to make a specific decision – e.g., about medical treatment, care planning, accommodation, or finances.

Key Forms:

  • MCA1 Form – Mental Capacity Assessment
  • Best Interests Decision-Making Form (BIA)
  • Consent and Decision

Mental Capacity in Waltham Forest | London Borough of Waltham Forest

Mental Capacity Act – Social care and support guide – NHS

Local Support and Contacts

Updated multi-agency mental capacity guidanceDownload
Carers’ Rights and Support

Carers – people who look after a family member or friend due to illness, disability, or mental health needs — have specific legal rights and entitlements under the Care Act 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014. GPs and primary care staff play a key role in identifying carers early and signposting them to the right support.

Key Carers’ Rights

  • Carer’s Assessment
    Every carer has a right to an assessment of their own needs, even if the person they care for does not receive services. This includes physical, emotional, and practical support needs.
  • Support Plans
    Carers may be entitled to support such as help with respite, counselling, or financial assistance.
  • Flexible Working
    Under employment law, carers have the right to request flexible working arrangements.
  • Priority in Vaccinations & GP Services
    Identified carers may be eligible for priority access to flu/COVID vaccinations and flagged on GP systems.
  • Young Carers’ Rights
    Young carers (under 18) are entitled to a Young Carer’s Assessment and support via school, GP, and local authority.

What GPs Can Do

  • Use EMIS/SystmOne codes to identify carers
  • Offer annual health checks or carers’ clinics
  • Signpost during health checks or consultations
  • Refer for carer’s assessments where needed
  • Encourage registration with Carers First Waltham Forest – Where to Signpost Carers

Local to Waltham Forest:

  • Waltham Forest Carers First
    Offers practical support, advice, emotional help, and carers groups.
    www.carersfirst.org.uk/walthamforest
    0300 303 1555
    hello@carersfirst.org.uk
  • Waltham Forest Council – Carers Information
    For requesting a carer’s assessment or help from adult social care.
    Adult carers | London Borough of Waltham Forest

National Resources:

  • NHS – Help for Carers
    www.nhs.uk/carers
  • Carers UK
    National advice on carers’ rights, benefits, and employment.
    www.carersuk.org
    Carers UK Helpline: 020 7378 4999
  • Waltham Forest Parent Forum: The Waltham Forest Parent Forum is a parent-led community group supporting families of children and young people with SEND. They collaborate with health, education, and local authority services to represent family voices and improve local provision.

Website: Waltham Forest Parent Forum | Join Us Today | Home

Email: info@walthamforestparentforum.org.uk

Referral forms & Information

Below is a list of referral forms for services relevant to patients with Learning Disabilities (LD) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These documents should be uploaded alongside the portal content or made available as downloadable links.

Adults:

  • New SPA Referral Form
WF-New-ADULT-Referral-Form-June-2022Download

Children

ND-WF-paed-referral-criteria-Sep-2024-Download
Waltham-Forest-Specialist-Childrens-Services-Referral-Form-Download

Children’s Resource Hub | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

Signposting and External Resources

Mencap: Learning Disability – Down syndrome – Williams syndrome | Mencap

Easy Health: Easy Health | Home

SENDIASS: Waltham Forest :: Home

ADVOCACY: Waltham Forest | Home | POhWER

All Age ENT and Audiology pathways – Tower Hamlets

Routine

0-5 years: all to ENT on ERS (referral, Child and Adolescents, ENT)

5 years and over: to TNW Communitas on ERS (who re-book in ENT if needed)

Adults audiology: audiology form on EMIS via email

<16 children’s audiology: email audiology using EMIS form (who triage to Communitas when appropriate, who do not always send results to GPs) – both services can resolve wax in order to assess

Urgent and emergency ENT

Adults: ERS (referral, urgent, otherwise speficied, RAS)

<16 years: letter via email to bartshealth.paediatricentpccs@nhs.net

Haematology Advice – Barts Health

The haematology service across Barts Health help to diagnose and treat people with diseases relating to the blood.

We help diagnose and treat blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, in conjunction with the Barts Cancer Centre based at St Bartholomew’s. Our blood transfusion department is the largest in the UK. We are a comprehensive care centre for haemophilia, sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, paediatric haematology and a regional referral centre for immune thrombocytopenia, inherited bone marrow failure and complex thrombosis. 

Our laboratories provide routine and specialised blood tests and our experts provide advice to GPs and doctors in many different hospitals in north London and Essex. Laboratory haematology at Barts Health is now part of The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership , combining the pathology laboratory services of Homerton University Hospital, Newham Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, The Royal London Hospital, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, University Hospital Lewisham and Whipps Cross Hospital.

Click the button for information for patients cared for by the Haematology service. The tabs below may be useful to GPs. We are committed to improving collaborative working with primary care.

Haematology Patient Information

Need information about blood tests? Lab tests online UK has been designed to help you better understand the many clinical lab tests, but is also used widely by healthcare professionals as a source of information.

For further information on the following please follow this link:
Haematology – Barts Health NHS Trust

Referring your patient

Shared and transfer of care

Anticoagulant bridging advice

Abnormal B12 and folate levels

Disorders of platelets

Haematology iron deficiency guidelines

Haemochromatosis

Haemoglobinopathies: regular medication and vaccinations

Lymphadenopathy

Paraproteins and light chains

Red cell disorders

Thrombophilia

White cell disorders

CQRS extractions for maternal pertussis, maternal RSV and maternal flu

The national teams continue to work on resolving the technical issue for Pertussis and RSV Pregnant Women vaccination data.

read more about CQRS extractions for maternal pertussis, maternal RSV and maternal flu

Update on Barts Health and Omnes Healthcare Community ultrasound diagnostic referral pathway in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest

To ensure patients are scanned as quickly as possible, referrals are passed directly on to the team at Omnes.

read more about Update on Barts Health and Omnes Healthcare Community ultrasound diagnostic referral pathway in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest

North East London Community pharmacy Oral Contraception service webinar for Primary Care

This service allows community pharmacists to initiate oral contraception via patient group direction.

read more about North East London Community pharmacy Oral Contraception service webinar for Primary Care

Updated PGD for mpox vaccine

To All General Practices in London PLEASE CASCADE THIS EMAIL TO PRACTICE MANAGERS, PRACTICE NURSES, CLINICAL GOVERNANCE LEADS and ANY […]

read more about Updated PGD for mpox vaccine

Women’s Health Hub

Please choose which area you would like information on:

BHRUT

CITY & HACKNEY

TOWER HAMLETS

WALTHAM FOREST

BHRUT

BHRUT: Implementation of Women’s Health Hubs Advice & Refer (A&R) in Menopause ane Urogynaecology

BHRUT are delighted to share an update on the launch of their new Women’s Health Hub (WHH). They have initiated a soft launch for Urogynaecology services week commencing 15 July, followed by Menopause services week commencing 22 July.

BHRUT are committed to enhancing access to women’s healthcare and the WHH represents a significant step forward in achieving this goal. By locating the hub within the heart of our community, they aim to reduce waiting times for patients and provide better tailored and more convenient care.

From 29 July BHRUT will be introducing separate Directories of Services (DoS) for Urogynaecology and Menopause. This new system will enable them to triage referrals more effectively and expedite appointments.

Please direct all elective referrals for Urogynaecology and Menopause through these new e-RS referral pathways from 29 July onwards.

They anticipate that these initiatives will collectively contribute to a substantial reduction in waiting times for women’s healthcare services. They are confident that the WHH will make a positive impact on the lives of women in our community.

Please find attached further information about the service the Hub will offer to our patients.

Thank you for your continued support.

TOWER HAMLETS

Single Point of Access for women’s health advice and triage to the right service
Women’s Health Hub clinics led by a multidisciplinary team

Why a Women’s Health Hub?
Tower Hamlets faces significant challenges in managing women’s health:
·increasing demand for care, particularly for chronic problems like menopause, menstrual health, PCOS and other pelvic health
·variable confidence and skill sets in managing women’s health in primary care
·convoluted pathways across community, general and specialist services
·long wait times
·women going to the wrong sub-specialty clinics
·inefficient use of outpatient capacity

Overview of changes to Gynaecology referral pathways

Single Point of Access
From Friday 1st December 2023, all GP requests for advice or referrals for gynaecology services go through a Single Point of Access – except for 2 week waits, women in pregnancy, abortions, emergency gynaecology and <16 year olds.
On ERS, GPs will use, within the Gynaecology specialty:
Advice & Guidance – Tower Hamlets Women’s Health Hub Single Point of Access – Barts Health NHS Trust – R1
Advice and triage provided by a MDT, including:
·Consultant Gynaecologist
·Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultant
·GP with a Special Interest (GPSI) in Women’s Health
·Administrator
on Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning and Thursday morning
We are also working towards providing a hotline for GPs to briefly discuss any queries they may have.
Practised running through Advice & Guidance over last 6 weeks and reduced backlog.
Aim to improve quality of advice and more efficient use of services (including new Women’s Health Hub clinics)

Women’s Health Hub clinics
MDT at Sylvia Pankhurst Centre/Community Women’s Health Services at Mile End Hospital
On Wednesdays and Fridays starting on Wednesday 3rd January 2024.
For common gynaecological needs (not requiring invasive investigation), including:
Menorrhagia, LARC (contraception and menorrhagia), Postnatal care 8 weeks plus, Chronic Pelvic pain, Vaginismus, AUB, Menopause, Urogynaecology, Urinary incontinence, PMS, PCOS, Difficult smears/ difficult threads, Biopsies (vulval).
The clinics are run by:
·GPs with a Special Interest (GPSI) in Women’s Health who are experienced GPs working in Tower Hamlets practices.
·Physiotherapist offering specialist assessment and rehabilitation for pelvic, bladder and bowel pain and dysfunction. They support women for incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, vaginismus, sexual intercourse issues and post-natal care (beyond 6-8 weeks).
·Specialist Nurse e.g. for LARC insertion for menorrhagia and/or contraception, biopsies and difficult coil thread checks.
·Sonographer to ensure that any patients requiring scanning can be identified, scanned and receive other investigations and care within the same visit.
·Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultant and Consultant Gynaecologist for specialist care and to provide necessary training, supervision and support for other members of the team.
·Health Care Assistant

·We are also open to ideas from primary care and others about how we can achieve our aims during the pilot
Work will begin soon on the business case for a service after the pilot ends from September 2024.

Tower-Hamlets-Womens-Health-Hub-update-for-PCTG-Nov-23-S.-Health-Loc-MDT-5-12-23Download

WALTHAM FOREST

Following the introduction of the single point of access for the Whipps Cross area in August 2024, GPs in Waltham Forest & Redbridge are referring women to the Whipps Cross Hospital Women’s Health Hub and weekly clinics will commence in April 2025.

The Hub forms part of a wider Women’s Health Strategy for England, which aims to improve women’s health over the next 10 years and encourages the expansion of Women’s Health Hubs across the country. It is one of four Women’s Health Hubs which are now up and running across north east London.

Women’s Hubs bring together a range of different healthcare professionals and local services to support women with their health needs, including gynaecology, sexual health, pelvic pain, menopause care and more.

Following the success of the Barts Health Tower Hamlet’s Women’s Health Hub, which reduced patient waiting times by 33% and decreased appointment wait times from 27 to 11 weeks, Whipps Cross Hospital was commissioned to deliver a similar service for Waltham Forest and the surrounding Redbridge area.

The Waltham Forest service is accepting referrals for women across the borough. GPs can refer to the service or request advice through the e-Referral Service (e-RS) by selecting the following option:

Advice & Guidance – Gynaecology Women’s Health Hub – Whipps Cross – Barts Health NHS Trust – R1H

Referrals are clinically triaged and patients will either be referred into the Women’s Health Hub clinics, a secondary care gynaecology specialist clinic, or advice will be given back to the GP as to how to support them within primary care. This referral management system aims to reduce waiting times for assessment and treatment and improve access to specialist hospital treatment for those who need it.

The Hubs can support patients with many health issues including:

Clinics have been held on weekends, with weekday capacity starting in April 2025. Recruitment for the Hub is underway for a multi-disciplinary team, including specialist consultants, GPs, physiotherapists, nursing, and support roles, who will deliver the service.

The service is led by Miss Nandita Deo, Clinical Lead Women’s Health Hub, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Please look out for further updates about the new Hub and improvements to women’s health across north east London.

Contact details: bartshealth.wxh.womenshub@nhs.net

ADHD (documents under review)

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ADHD information schoolsCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
ADHD medication shortages – Information for patients and families August 2024CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
ADHD medication shortage easy-read patient information leaflet V1.1CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Women’s Health

Women’s Health

Latest Posts

Quick Links

Tower Hamlets Womens Health Hub
Perinatal / Postnatal Physiotherapy
Domestic Abuse
FGM
Gynaecology
Infertility
IRIS
Maternity
Perinatal Mental Health
Screening
Women’s support

Discharge Medicines Service – Community Pharmacy 

The NHS Discharge Medicines Service (DMS) is a new nationally commissioned essential service that all community pharmacy contractors have to provide. The aim of the service is to improve the communication of changes to a patient’s medication when they leave hospital, to prevent harm from medicines, reduce readmissions and to improve patients outcomes. Trusts (Acute, Mental Health, Community) will identify appropriate patients and refer them to their usual or preferred community pharmacy on discharge with information about medication changes made in hospital. 

Community pharmacist have been commissioned to provide a new NHS Discharge Medicine Service, which is being rolled out locally across Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest (TNW). A joint working group has been working on the implementation and the service will be rolled out gradually from all Trusts across North East London (NEL) from July 2021. 

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NEL – Discharge Medicines Service Referral FormCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
NEL Discharge Medicines Service PathwayCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
NEL – Discharge Medicines Service PresentationCLICK TO DOWNLOAD

TOWER HAMLETS

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(TH) Local implementation of the NHS Discharge Medicines ServiceCLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Waltham Forest / Newham Formulary

These are legacy formularies which have been superseded by the fully published North East London Joint Formulary -netformulary https://www.nel-jointformulary.nhs.uk/. The legacy formulary information should not be used as these are no longer kept up-to-date.

North East London (NEL) is in the process of harmonising the existing formularies in-use across NEL onto a single NEL-wide electronic formulary. The new NEL electronic formulary is expected to be launched by the end of 2024.

  • At current, users will not be able to access the full version of the Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest/Newham formularies (BNF FormularyComplete).
  • In the interim, please access the simplified version of the formularies below. Note that the links within these pages do not open onto other pages.
  • It should be noted that the simplified version is not up-to-date. Please refer to the NEL Formulary and Pathways Group (FPG) decision log for formulary updates made since October 2022.

Useful links

WF/NH Formulary

Anti-infective

Blood and blood-forming organs

Borderline substances

Cardiovascular system

Ear

Endocrine system

Eye

Gastro-intestinal system

Genito-urinary system

Immune system

Malignant disease

Musculoskeletal system

Nervous system

Nose

Nutrition and metabolic disorders

Oropharynx

Poisoning

Respiratory system

Skin

Vaccines

Wound management products and elasticated garments

Medicines Storage

BHR

NameDownload Link

Osteoporosis

NEL

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Calcium and vitamin D (colecalciferol) preparations for adults at risk of osteoporosis guidance (NEL)CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

BHR

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(BHR) BHR CCGs and BHRUT transfer of care monitoring and guidance for denosumab in post menopausal women with osteoporosisCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
(BHR) BHR CCGs and BHRUT updated osteoporosis pathwayCLICK TO DOWNLOAD

City & Hackney

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Bisphosphonate drug holidays guidance C&H CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Vaccines

BHR

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(BHR) Vaccine fridge temperature out of range guidanceCLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Barts Health – Rapid access chest pain clinic

Who to refer

Inclusion criteria:

– The patient must be suffering from a new onset of chest pain thought likely to be angina.
– If your patient is male, he must be over 30 years-old
– If your patient is female, she must be over 40 years-old (women over 35 years old will only be considered if there is particular concern and significant cardiac risk factors)


Exclusion criteria:

– We cannot see your patient if they are suffering from suspected unstable angina or a myocardial infarction. Instead, please refer them directly to A&E.
– If your patient has already been treated by cardiology within the last 6 months, please would you refer them back to their original Consultant Cardiologist and not to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic.
– If your patient has palpitations or suspected arrhythmias, please refer them to the Heart Rhythm Clinic.
– If you patient is suffering from suspected Heart Failure, please refer them to the Heart failure team/ Clinic.
– If your patient does not meet the age criteria and you suspect cardiac cause of symptoms please refer to Cardiology Clinic

How to refer

Referral form can be found on Resource Publisher (RP) EMIS under RACP( rapid access chest pain)

All forms must be sent via ERS

Referral contact details:

Telephone: 0203 594 6049

Royal London Hospital – Ambulatory Care

AEC-Referral-PathwayDownload


AEC does not replace any of the existing outpatient pathways at Barts Health (2WW, neurology, arrhythmias, rheumatology, respiratory, etc,)

Some of the common conditions we see:

Pulmonary embolism
Transfusions for anaemia,
Headache,
Acute Jaundice,
Uncontrolled Hypertension

Exclusion criteria

Paediatrics (< 16yrs), Surgical/Trauma problems, Infection control issues, Acute confusion/delirium, acute psychiatric illness

Please also ensure:

– Patient is not critically ill

Pulse < 100
BP > 100 Systolic
Sats> 92% or > 88% if COPD
GCS15 ( or 14 if known Dementia)
– The patient is appropriate to be discharged with current package of care.

– Patient/relatives able to arrange their own public/private transport? (or prearranged hospital transport)

– A clinical review would avoid admission

Other considerations

At predictable risk of deterioration based on history and preliminary investigation
Is not ambulant or mobile in a wheelchair and able to transfer with assistance of one
Already under investigation
The problem is of a chronic nature

Who to refer

All referrals to be discussed with the Ambulatory care team

Following which please complete the referral form (already EMIS under Ambulatory Emergency care) and email it to the team

Before referral

please include patients phone number, NHS number, reason for referral, when the patient should be seen, outline investigations required.
An AEC nurse will contact the patient to arrange an appointment, DO NOT tell the patient to arrive in AEC until they have been contacted

Service contact details

Acute Medicine Consultant: 02035945642 or via switch ext 45642
Out of hours – On call Medical SPR: 02035945645 or via switch ext 45645
email: Bhnt.rlh-ambulatory@nhs.net

Additional notes

Diagnosis and treatment of DVT
VTE nurse specialists provide same or next day (except weekends and Bank Holidays) assessment, diagnosis and treatment of suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
09:00 – 15:00 Monday-Friday: Contact the AEC nurse: 02035945700 or via switch ext 45700
Out of hours: Send to the Emergency Department with a referral letter
Location: Accessed via the main entrance of Royal London Hospital, Ground Floor, opposite lift core 8.

AEC-Referral-Pathway-1Download

Medicines Guidelines – General Guidance

NEWHAM / WALTHAM FOREST

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7 day prescribing letterCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Hospital Only ListCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Safe Fasting during RamadanCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
School Letter – OTC MedicationCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Patients considering private referralsCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Patient Letter – retrospective prescriptionsCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Patients travelling abroadCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Private Prescription PolicyCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Recording Medicines prescribed elsewhereCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Repeat Prescribing PolicyCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Safety Custody of Medicines in Primary CareCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Non-Medical Prescribing PolicyCLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Working with IndustryCLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) 

Patients can access a schemes for minor eye conditions that is currently running in City & Hackney, Islington, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest. Find out more information and dedicated pages on each area from this site:

nel-eyecare.com

Barts Health GP Direct Access to CT for Suspected Pancreatic Cancer

GP Direct Access to CT for Suspected Pancreatic Cancer

We are writing to update you on GP access to urgent direct investigations for suspected cancer at Barts Health. As you may know, NICE guidelines (NG12; Suspected cancer: recognition and referral) recommended that GPs consider referring patients directly for urgent (within two weeks) investigations in specific clinical situations. The imaging departments across Barts Health will make this service available from 01 September 2021 providing equitable access to NG12 diagnostics across London.

Radiology Process and Safety Netting

You will be able to request an urgent CT abdomen & pelvis for suspected pancreatic cancer via T-quest. For those practices using C the Signs (in Newham and Waltham Forest) this will be included within the risk assessment and recommendations.

GPs should only request an investigation urgently if the patient meets the NICE criteria. Radiology services are under considerable strain, and a request to undertake a test within two weeks should be clearly justifiable on clinical grounds.

  • Consider an urgent direct access CT scan (to be performed within 2 weeks) to assess for pancreatic cancer in people aged 60 and over with weight loss and any of the following:
  • diarrhoea
  • back pain
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • new‑onset diabetes. [2015]
  • The order is built into T-quest with a description of ” CT Pancreas NICE NG12″ and will only be visible for patients 60 and over.
  • Patients must have a recent serum creatinine within the last 3 months, please include the result and date of the test in the clinical details box.
  • If you have any queries about requesting this diagnostic test, please email the Radiology team for further information and advice.

Tower Hamlets:              bartshealth.imagingadviceandsupportrlh@nhs.net

Newham:                         Radiology.gpsupport@nhs.net

Waltham Forest:             Bartshealth.imaging-appointments@nhs.net

  • Practices should ensure they have safety netting systems to follow up patients referred in this way to check that the test has been undertaken within two weeks, and the report received.

Onward Referral

Where the result indicates a suspicious lesion, GPs should refer to the relevant 2WW pathway.

The CT report will signpost the referrer to the most appropriate next step where for example a benign lesion is identified on the scan.

Education & Resources 

There is an online learning resources available on Gateway C and the Healthy London Partnership supporting early diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer, these can be accessed via the web links below.

Course: Pancreatic Cancer – Early Diagnosis   

www.gatewayc.org.uk

Educational support – Healthy London Partnership

www.healthylondon.org

East London Eating Disorder Service (Adults)

Community-based service providing support to adults in Newham, Tower Hamlets, and City & Hackney.

Specialist evidence-based treatment to individuals struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating symptoms

Click here for more information

Health for Under 5s

Health for Under 5s | For healthy, happy early years

The Health for Under 5s website, co-designed with families, provides trusted information and health advice for parents and carers from pregnancy through to when a child starts school. There is also lots of additional information and resources for health professionals to ensure the best quality of care for children and families.

Health for Under 5s is part of a suite of websites that support our public health programme for children, young people and families in Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Alongside the national content, we will be keeping our Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest sections up to date with local information, news and support services.

Health for Under 5s | For healthy, happy early years

NEL Prescribing and Medicines Newsletter

Please share these newsletters / bulletins with colleagues within your practice:

This page will hold the last 6 newsletters / bulletins. If you require any older documents, please email nelondonicb.medicinesoptimisationenquiries@nhs.net

2025

July 2025

June 2025

May 2025

April 2025

March 2025

February 2025

January 2025

2024

December 2024

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

2023

December 2023

November 2023

September 2023

August 2023

July 2023

Barts Health Renal consultant hotline

For URGENT CLINICAL KIDNEY QUESTIONS REQUIRING CLINICIAN TO CLINICIAN DISCUSSION- significant rise in creatinine, hyperkalaemia, and nephrotic syndrome

– GPs can call the Barts Health renal consultant hot phone 02035945751 Mon – Fri 8.30 to 5pm 

This website is for healthcare professions only.

It is not for public use.

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