Children and their families will benefit from more joined-up healthcare now that community services at The Lighthouse Children’s Development Centre in Southend integrates with Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
Management of services such as physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapies, and specialist services for children with complex needs was previously provided by our Trust.
A collaboration between EPUT, Provide, and North East London NHS Foundation Trust will develop solutions to ensure more sustainable healthcare services in the long term.
Local NHS organisations have been working on safely transferring the services. This has included discussions with patients, Essex Family Forum and Southend Send Independent Forum to act on feedback from families receiving or awaiting care.
Involvement from patients and other stakeholders will continue as improvements are made and discussions are underway to ensure that parents can help design future services.
If you are a parent who takes care of neurodivergent children, you can download a digital information pack to help understand the support available in Essex.