Health Assessment for Children in Care

What is a health assessment?

A health assessment is a “checkup” which helps all of the adults who look after you, help you be as healthy as possible, physically and emotionally.

Your first health assessment will be carried out by a doctor, probably at the hospital. After that, every year you will be seen by a nurse, in a place of your choosing.

The assessment is done by talking to you, looking at your health records and if you agree, the doctor will:

• Look in your eyes and ears.
• Listen to your heart.
• Measure your height.
• Weigh you.

They will ask you and the person who looks after you when you last went to the dentist and opticians.

We don’t take blood tests or give you any injections. So there is no need to worry.

So that you stay healthy the doctor will make a health plan to help this happen. This is given to you, and everyone involved in your care.

Why Me?

All children who are in care – must by law have a health assessment when they first come into care and a review health assessment every year after.

What will happen at my next health assessment?

Your yearly health assessment is carried out by a nurse in a nursing uniform. If possible, it is done where you live.

The nurse won’t examine you, but they will weigh and measure you and ask questions. They will talk to you about keeping healthy, physically and emotionally and about keeping yourself safe.

These health assessments are a chance for you to talk about your health and anything that you are worried about. So that you stay healthy the nurse will make a health plan to help this happen. This is given to you, and everyone involved in your care.

What if I have any questions?

You can ask the nurse questions about anything that is worrying you, and they will try their best to answer them.

Confidentiality

If anything that you discussed needs to be shared with anybody we will ask for your permission. The only time information would be shared without your permission is if the doctor or nurse is concerned that there is a risk of harm to you or someone else.

Who can I contact?

The Children’s Health in Care Team are run by Harrogate and District Children’s Foundation Trust and will book all Initial Health Assessments. There nurses will complete all review health assessments. If you have any questions please contact:

Harrogate and District Children’s Foundation

Email:[email protected]

Telephone: 03000 373 0220

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]