In certain circumstances some patient groups can be more vulnerable. For these patients groups there are additional local and national services which can make a real difference. In the sections below we provide links to general information and to local and national services. We also describe how our practice can help you.
Veterans and Service Families
“In 2017, there were an estimated 2.4 million UK Armed Forces Veterans in Great Britain, making up an estimated 5% of household residents aged 16 and over.”
“Annual Population Survey: UK Armed Forces Veterans residing in Great Britain, 2017”. Gov UK website Retrieved 14 February 2023.
Veterans
We know the healthcare needs of veterans can be different from other patients as they transition from the support and friendship of the military to life outside. We also know that veterans have higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, and that common conditions including anxiety and depression and problems relating to alcohol occur in veterans.
Service families
We know about the extra pressure on family life that comes with deployment and periods of separation, social isolation and regular changes of location.
Our support and please tell use if you are a veteran
We fully believe in the armed forces covenant and want to ensure that we deliver on it. We have brought together local and national information for veterans and the armed forces please see under
- Supporting veterans and the armed forces – this includes a link to the armed forces covenant
Please can you tell us that you are a veteran if you have not done so already, either by filling in the following form,
or informing one of our Care Navigators and we will add a code to your notes (on the GP computer system) to show that you are a military veteran.
Carers
A carer is a person of any age (including children) who provides unpaid support (excluding statutory allowances such as Carer’s Allowance) to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who couldn’t cope without their help. This could be due to old age, frailty, disability, a serious health condition, mental ill health or substance misuse. Parents of children who are disabled or who have a serious health condition are also considered to be carers.
We know the significant contribution to the health and care system carers make but also value the care given to our individual patients who require care.
For more information visit:
Dementia
As suggested by the Alzheimer’s Society
“Although there is no cure for dementia yet, support and treatments are available that can help with symptoms and managing daily life.These can allow people with dementia to lead active, purposeful lives and carry on doing the things that matter to them most”.
“Five things you should know about dementia.” Alzheimer’s Society. Retrieved 15th February 2023.
Learning Disabilities
Under 25: Local advice and support to help with all aspects of learning disability
Contact details and directory for special educational needs and disabilities (send local offer for under 25)
From the Family Information Service
Support for children and young people (under 25) with SEND and their parents – divided into Buckinghamshire Council SEND services and SEND support and activities by local organisations
SEND support services SEND support services | Family Information Service
Before using the directory it is worth looking at the information below, to gain a better understanding of what is available:
DIRECT SUPPORT AND ADVICE IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (UNDER 25)
From Buckinghamshire Council
Under 25
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service or SENDIAS, provides free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and their parents/carers.
- Bucks SENDIAS Service Bucks SENDIAS service | Buckinghamshire Council
- Contact Sendias Ways to get in touch with the SENDIAS team | Buckinghamshire Council
From the Family Information Service
For under 25
- The Family Support Service “offers support to children, young people and families with children and young people aged 0 to 19 or up to 25 years with a special educational need or disability (SEND)”. You can request support
Get help from the Family Support Service | Family Information Service - There is extensive support in different aspects of life and this is detailed in full here
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND Local Offer) Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND Local Offer) | Family Information Service
From the Council of Disabled Children
Find details for any national SENDIAS service
For Buckinghamshire SENDIAS service Buckinghamshire
SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION (INCLUDING TRANSPORT)
From the Family Information Service
Education and SEND Education and special educational needs and disabilities | Family Information Service
Local advice and support to help with social care
SELF REFERRAL FOR A SOCIAL CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT (age 18 and over)
A FREE social care needs assessment can help you better understand what your social care needs are and also what your options are supporting those needs.
From Buckinghamshire Council – SELF REFERRAL for social care needs assessment
- Care and support | Care Advice Buckinghamshire – includes “how to access services” and a simple explanation about assessments.
- Contact adult social care | Care Advice Buckinghamshire – links to a referral form for a social care needs assessment
EXPLANATION OF A social CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT and care
From the NHS
Getting a care needs assessment Getting a care needs assessment – Social care and support guide – NHS
From Buckinghamshire Council
- Care advice – Overview of all the help Care Advice Buckinghamshire | Care Advice Buckinghamshire
- Factsheets covering social care including on “my assessment” Factsheets | Care Advice Buckinghamshire
Finding local activities, and support groups
Under 25: LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT GROUPS
From the Family Information Service
Local help with autism includes an excellent large directory of support which is divided up by categories such as “advice and support “ ,“ things to do” , “education and learning” etc.
Activities for SEND (includes link to “search the directory”) Activities for SEND | Family Information Service
Under 25: SUPPORT FOR SHORT BREAKS
From the Family Information Service
We help children and young people with disabilities, and their families and carers, by giving you access to short breaks.
Short breaks Short breaks and respite care for children with SEND | Family Information Service
Over 25: LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT GROUPS
From Buckinghamshire Council
The Bucks Online Directory provides a data base which you can search for activities and groups across the county. To find the best activities use the filters “suitable for” which includes “learning difficulties” and also the age filter to put the minimum age (e.g., 30) and the maximum age (e.g., 60)
Find activities and organisations near you Find activities, groups and services near you | Bucks Online Directory | Buckinghamshire Council
Support in hospital
HOSPITAL SUPPORT – general information
From the NHS
Support if you are going into hospital Learning disabilities – Support if you are going into hospital – NHS
From Mencap
Visiting hospital: Information to help people with a learning disability visiting hospital. (includes hospital passports) Visiting hospital | Mencap
Local support over 18
From Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust
Our learning disability liaison team helps adult patients with learning disabilities and autism, and their carers, to access high quality care and have a positive experience in hospital.
Patients with learning disabilities and autism Patients with learning disabilities and autism – Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
From Frimley Healthcare Trust (Wexham Park Hospital)
Learning disability liaison nurses Patients with a learning disability :: Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
From Hillingdon Hospital NHS foundation trust
Responding to the needs of people with learning disabilities Responding to the needs of people with learning disabilities | The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Other local and national hospitals will normally have an adult learning disabilities team available in the hospital
Training, work experience and employment after leaving school and college
From Buckinghamshire Council
Training, work experience and employment Jobs, training, work and preparing for adulthood (SEND) | Family Information Service
From Buckinghamshire Skills Hub
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities “If you have a Special Educational Need or Disability, or you know someone who does, you might be wondering what success looks like. We are here to give you the support you need to realise your potential.” Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Career Seeker Type | Buckinghamshire Skills Hub