Dickson House Resident signing with staff member
Dickson House Resident signing with staff member

Audiology

As part of the support network, the Trust has its own audiology department and employs an audiologist.

The Trust recognises the rehabilitation process of managing and coping with a hearing loss and the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants can be as important as the diagnosis of a hearing loss and fitting of the hearing aids themselves.

Clinical audiologist Jim McHugh is committed to ensuring every Doncaster Deaf Trust pupil, students and resident has access to the best equipment available for their particular needs.  Pupils, students and residents are encouraged to make the best use of their residual hearing and contact Jim with any concerns they may have.

The on-site audiology department is a safe and familiar environment. The audiologist has Level 2 British Sign Language qualifications which offers young people the ability to discuss their thoughts, concerns and options in a confidential and private manner without the help of an interpreter.

The department has a small provision of radio aids and sound field equipment available, which can be used in classrooms and the Children’s Home.  The use of hearing tests, sound field aided threshold testing (hearing test with hearing aids on), and various speech tests, help shape teaching and care methods to help enhance every young person’s potential.

The department has forged close links with local and NHS audiology departments and specialist cochlear implant centres throughout the UK. 

 The department strives to ensure every young person has the necessary equipment to maximise their residual hearing and their learning and living experience.

Dentist, Doctors & Opticians

Dentist

All young people who live at Dickson House and the North Flat are given the opportunity to register with the local dentist.

The Trust’s preferred dental practice:

Mrs. Wolverson (dentist)
44 Thorne Road
Doncaster
DN1 2EX
Tel   01302 349181

 

Doctor

All young people who live at Dickson House and the North Flat are given the opportunity to register with a local doctor. 

If medical care or attention is required, the care staff can arrange to accompany and support the resident to the doctor’s surgery or Doncaster Royal Infirmary, whichever is most suitable.

The Trust’s preferred GP surgery:

Dr. Savage
St. Vincent’s Surgery,
77 Thorne Road,
Doncaster
DN1 2ET

Tel   01302 361318

 

Optician

All young people who live at Dickson House and the North Flat are given the opportunity to register with a local optician.

Care workers arrange to accompany and support the resident to the opticians for annual check-ups and any other necessary follow-up appointments.

The Trust’s preferred optician:

Specsavers
9 St Sepulchre Gate
Doncaster
DN1 1TD

Tel 01302 326557

 

The Home, via Doncaster School for the Deaf has access to the School Nurses Service. 

Mental Health & Counselling

Mental Health

National Deaf Children, Young People and Family Service (Deaf CAMHS)

Doncaster Deaf Trust Children’s Homes has forged close links with the National Deaf Children, Young People and Family Service (CAMHS). The service involves a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals experienced in supporting children, their families and the care staff who look after them, and who provide guidance and advice on dealing with mental health issues, including emotional and behavioural difficulties. CAMHS works closely with the Trust  and provide support, advice and therapeutic intervention when needed.

Counselling

The Trust provides a confidential counselling service for all its residents aged 16 and over.

This can be accessed after a staff member’s referral or by the young person themselves.  The counselling service also provides a ‘drop in’ service where young people can find out more and/or self refer. 

For those under 16 years, care staff can make direct referrals to CAMHS or other  outside professional agencies.