Paediatric Community Dietitians
Referral Criteria to Community Dietitian for Disabled Children
The Childrens Community Dietitian for Disabled Children provides a county wide service for children with a diagnosed disability who have a feeding problem and are at risk of under-nutrition but are not tube fed .
Who provides the service?
The service is provided by 1 wte specialist children’s Dietitian, based within the multidisciplinary Children’s Community Therapy Service, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.
Who is the service for?
Children* who are diagnosed with a physical and/or learning disability such as:
• Significant neurological conditions, e.g. global developmental delay
• Neuro developmental conditions, e.g.diagnosed autism, ADHD
• Neuromuscular conditions, e.g. SMA
• Chromosomal abnormalities resulting in neurological impairment, e.g. Downs Syndrome
And have a high risk of poor nutritional health and potential or actual growth faltering as specified in the table below.
Referrals cannot be accepted for
- Any child who does not have a diagnosis of a physical or learning disability
- Children who present solely with disabilities not listed above, such as hearing or sight impairments, speech and language delay or sensory/ co-ordination issues
- Disabled children requiring Dietetic intervention for:
• Weight management
• ME/CF
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Partial or total tube feeding
How to refer?
Paediatricians and GPs can make direct written referrals. All other referrals need to be made on the Dietetic Referral Form. Essential information is to be included in the referral for the referral to be processed.
Who can refer?
• The child’s GP or Paediatrician
• Children’s Therapists, including tertiary referrals and those working with children out of county who are relocating to Cornwall
• Health Visitors, School Nurses, Children’s Community Nursing Team
• SENCOs, including those working with Early Years
• Professionals from Childrens Services
DIETETIC SERVICE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
REFERRAL CRITERIA FOR DIETETIC INTERVENTION
Infants and children* who have a diagnosed physical or learning disability and are at risk of under-nutrition.
Essential information to be included: reason for referral, additional details as below, diagnosis, weight, height, medical history, social history and other services involved.
*referral up to age of 18 or until end of year 14 for those in Special Schools
Discharge Criteria
Children will be discharged from the Dietetic Service for Disabled Children when:
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The therapy goals have been met (e.g. the child displays a track record of consistent appropriate growth and nutritional intake on family foods with/ without minimal micronutrient supplementation (as fortified foods or supplement)
-
Children and families who do not engage with CCTS therapy in line with the RCHT “Was not brought” policy
-
Child reaches 18th birthday or end of Year 14 for those attending special schools
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Initial assessment indicates that child or young person does not have a clear goal that can be achieved with dietetic therapy input from CCTS
- The child moves out of catchment area for CCTS Dietetic service
SK/JD/May 2021