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Help prevent the spread of winter viruses

To help prevent the spread of winter viruses such as Covid-19, influenza and norovirus (winter vomiting bug), and to protect our patients and staff, please do not visit patients in our hospitals if you have: flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, cold); Covid-19 or influenza, or any other infections; diarrhoea and/or vomiting within the last two days.

What winter bug do I have?

Referral information for professionals

Referrals must be directed to the Care Co-ordination Centre using the ICPS referral form. The Care Co-ordination Centre is based in Ipswich and operates 24/7.

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Referral requirements

All referrals to the Integrated Community Paediatric Service (ICPS) must meet the following requirements:

  • Referrals must be made using the ICPS referral form and sent either electronically or by post to the Care Coordination Centre (details above).
  • If the referral is urgent and needs an immediate response, it can be made by phone.
  • Parent or carer consent must always be obtained before making a referral.
  • Referrals are only accepted for children registered with a Suffolk GP (within the Suffolk Community Healthcare boundaries).
  • Medical, audiology, children’s community nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy referrals are also accepted for children registered with a Thetford GP (this excludes speech and language therapy).
  • Referrals may be returned if they are incomplete, inappropriate, or do not meet the referral criteria. Please see the service-specific referral guidance for more information.
  • Accepted referrals are prioritised according to need.
  • Once a referral is accepted, standard waiting time and discharge policies will apply, including discharge for non-attendance.

Making a referral

ICPS referral form

Once you have completed the ICPS referral form, please:

Email: suffolk.ccc@esneft.nhs.uk
Telephone (for urgent referrals): 0300 123 2425

The referral form can be used to refer a child or young person to one or more of the following children’s services:

  • Medical
  • Audiology
  • Community Children’s Nursing (CCN)
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Occupational therapy

Please note: Referrals for more than one service can be made on the same referral form.

All referrals are reviewed by senior clinicians and prioritised according to urgency and need. Speech and language referrals from mainstream schools should also be made using this form.

ICPS referrals guidance

Referrals guidance is available below for the following services:

Additional services within ICPS

The Child and Family Psychology Service, Suffolk Communication Aids Resource Centre (SCARC) and Therapy Focus Suffolk (TFS) are specialist services within ICPS. These services only accept internal referrals for children and young people who are already receiving care from another ICPS service. Internal referrals are made in line with the referral guidance.