Support for children aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The NHS, NHS Dorset and Public Health Dorset

People may think the NHS is one organisation responsible for providing health care for everyone in the UK. In fact, the NHS is made up of lots of different organisations working together to ensure patients’ health needs are met. The sections below contain further information.

Changes to health and care

The Government wants to reform how health and care is organised and on 1 April 2022 the ICS will become a new corporate organisation. This change is happening across England. The following link explains what this means and how we want to make ICSs as strong and effective as possible through partnership working: https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/

The new ICS organisation will be doing a lot of the work that already takes place now, including commissioning of services, but its scope will be broader and will include some new functions. Some of the services currently commissioned by NHS EnglandNHS EnglandNHS England leads the National Health Service (NHS) in England. It sets the priorities and direction of the NHS and encourage and inform the national debate to improve health and care. A lot of the work NHS England does involves the commissioning of health care services in England. They commission the contracts for GPs, pharmacists, and dentists and we support local health services that are led by groups of GPs called Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). CCGs plan and pay for local services such as hospitals and ambulance services. will move to the new Integrated Care System.

The information below may change after April 2022 and this page will be updated to reflect our new ways of working.

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NHS England

NHS England leads the National Health Services (NHS) in England. Please watch this video for a brief explanation of how the NHS in England works.

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NHS Dorset (CCG)

NHS Dorset is the NHS organisation responsible for planning, developing and funding health care services for the local population. It is made up of a range of professionals, including all GP practices across the county and others from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds.

NHS Dorset is accountable to its governing body which makes sure that it fulfils its duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently whilst being value for money.

The CCG is responsible for commissioning:

  • Planned hospital care
  • Urgent and emergency care, including the 111 service
  • Community health services
  • Mental health and learning disabilities
  • Rehabilitation care
  • Maternity, children’s and family services
  • NHS continuing healthcare
  • Primary care

The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for SEND supports the local authorities and health organisations to meet their statutory responsibilities for children and young people with SEND. The DCO also agrees the health services within an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

The Associate Designated Clinical Officer (ADCO) for SEND, Chloe Morley. You can contact her on chloe.morley@nhsdorset.nhs.uk

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Public Health Dorset

Public Health Dorset commissions public health services to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of the population across Dorset with an emphasis on reducing health inequalities. They work closely with the local authorities to achieve public health benefits through council services.

Public Health Dorset is involved in commissioning:

  • NHS Health Checks
  • Sexual Health Services
  • Health Visiting
  • School Nursing
  • Drug and Alcohol Treatment
  • LiveWell Dorset
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