3.7.4 GPs, Dentists and Opticians

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to all Looked After children.

RELEVANT PROCEDURE

See Health Care Assessments and Health Care Plans Procedure for required frequency of health checks.

AMENDMENTS

This chapter was amended in May 2010, Section 1: Notifications and Registration with GPs, Dentists and Opticians should be re read.

Notifications and Registrations with GP's, Dentists and Opticians
Appointments with GP's, Dentists and Opticians
Frequency of Checks by Dentists and Opticians

1. Notifications and Registration with GPs, Dentists And Opticians

As soon as a child becomes looked after, the child's social worker will notify the child's GP and follow the LAC Initial Health Assessment Process - see Health Care Assessments and Health Care Plans Procedure.

The social worker must ensure that the child is registered with a GP, Optician and Dentist, preferably retaining registration with a practitioner known to the child. The social worker should liaise with the provider/carer to make these arrangements. For children who are unable to be registered with a dentist, arrangements must be made via the Designated LAC Nurse for the child to have access to the Community Dental Service.

It is the responsibility of the allocated Social Worker to ensure that details of the registration or any changes are recorded on Care First. The child's GP must be recorded on Care First.

2. Appointments With GPs, Dentists, Opticians

If children appear to require or request it, appointments should be made for them to see their GP or other medical practitioners as appropriate.

When appointments are made, account should be taken of the child's wishes, for example, to see a practitioner of a preferred gender. Also, appointments should preferably be made which do not disrupt the child's education.

Parents and the child's social worker should, if possible, be consulted before making appointments; and they should be informed of the outcome.

As appropriate, the electronic database should be updated to take account of these appointments. For children placed in foster care and residential care, these details must also be recorded in the relevant child's Daily Record.

3. Frequency of Checks by Dentists and Opticians

Children who are looked after should have dental checks every 6 months or as directed by the dentist but no less than annually. They should also have checks by an optician at a minimum every 6 months, unless the child wears glasses, in which case the checks should be as required by the optician.

Dates of checks should be recorded on the electronic database.