Can GP/HV refer for OT or does it have to be paed?

[zen1]

Just seen Paeds, who have referred DS for portage, but having been made aware of OT since then, I think he would really benefit. Do I have to wait 6 months for my next paed appointment before I can ask for a referral or can another professional do it?
Thanks

You can ask GP to direct a request via the paediatrics
Though portage was enough for us and OT more useful after dd started school
Physio also excellent for preschoolers
OT are very very hard to get to see, it's 8 mths here and you usually get declined unless you have a level of spasticity the Paed told me
Luckily for us we did get seen

Thanks Piffle. DS is already under physios as he is 22 months and can't walk (physio's believe him to be late due to the fact he's a bum-shuffler, however, still been told he won't walk till between 2 - 2.5). However, he can't/won't feed himself with a spoon and won't hold a beaker up to his mouth. It was these kind of issues I was thinking an OT could help with. Maybe I will try my luck with the GP - don't hold out much hope though!

My dd did not walk till 26 mths, did not talk till 35 mths
Could not sit up tip 20 mths
Could not feed herself using utensils til 3.5
Hypotonia, hypermobility and Noonan syndrome
She is about to turn 8 and excelling at mainstream school, she walks the half mile there skipping and chatting non stop
Be positive :)

My Health Visitor referred ds for OT, despite him already being under a paediatrician and his problems being known to the GP. She had a quick chat with them to see if a referral would be appropriate (as he is awaiting multi-dip ASD assessment in April 2011 anyway), they said they thought it would and she referred him back in August. We then received a home and school questionnaires which we had less than a week to get back to them and received a letter this weekend (so a week after that) to say he has been accepted onto the waiting list, but it will be 12 months until he is even assessed by them.

It said in the letter, that the only way he would be seen sooner was if he had a life-limiting condition or his own or carers' health and safety were at risk without immediate assessment and provision of vital equipment etc.

Their service is swamped in this area, hence the huge waiting list. Same thing with his ASD assessment - he will have been waiting 18 months since first referral by the time he has his assessment.

Piffle, it was lovely to read how well your DD is doing . I'd love to be able to say the same about my DS in a few years.

Moosemama,it is useful to know a HV can refer, thanks. The waiting list sounds horrendous though - if you don't mind me asking, which area are you in?

Physio applied for OT in my DD's case. I have refused to see shockingly bad local paed again so am glad physio could make the referral instead. HV can also refer to OT.

We didn't have to wait long for OT in our area although have been signed off a bit earlier than I think is appropriate - DD hasn't even started school yet and will definitely need help with her fine motor skills there.

If you haven't already seen it - this website has some good ideas:

www.otplan.com

Minty, thank you. I will check out the website now. ( to say that until very recently, I thought OT was solely for the purpose of assessing people for fitness to undertake a particular job.)

So did I, Zen and it certainly raised an eyebrow amongst my friends and family when I told them DD was having OT!!

Hi Zen. We are in the Heart of England NHS Trust, if that helps at all.

Website looks fab for ideas Minty

Moose, that's not a Trust in my locality - don't know if that's a good or bad thing! From what I've read on here though, 12 monthsish seems to be pretty much the norm, unfortunately.

my GP referred dd1 19 months ago! we are awaiting an appointment for assessment imminently... we've queue jumped because of statementing.
we are in bucks.

19 months??!! That's appalling! Wonder why the waits are so long? (thought 18 wks to see a paed, SALT and physio was bad enough!).
I am in the South London area so I expect the waiting list here to be pretty bad.

Just had a peek at the NHS jobs website and there are 160 outstanding OT jobs on there.

Hmm, I think I might see part of the problem.