'The entrance to the Child Development Centre from Robinson Way'

The Child Development Centre is an assessment and treatment centre where specialist help is available for children and families. Children are referred when parents or professionals have concerns about their development.

It is jointly provided by Addenbrooke's and South Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust.

The centre is a purpose-built building on the Addenbrooke's site (behind the Rosie). Most clinic referrals are from family doctors and community nurses. Some children are referred by paediatricians, community doctors and other people working with children. Children of all ages are seen at the CDC.

The CDC team aims to work together to provide a co-ordinated family-centred service. Team members include:

• paediatricians

• physiotherapists

• speech and language therapists

• occupational therapists

• clinical psychologists

• music therapist

• clinic assistant

• secretaries

The CDC also works closely with pre-school teachers and the Children's Disability Team, which is a community-based team consisting of nurses, health professionals and social workers.

The CDC has close links with other hospital departments, eg orthopaedics, vision and hearing clinics.

Close links are maintained with the community paediatric nursing team.

Children attend the CDC for assessment, diagnosis, advice and treatment for a wide range of problems such as:

• developmental delay

• physical disability

• severe co-ordination difficulties

• communication, speech and language difficulties

• autistic spectrum disorders

• learning difficulties

• vision and hearing problems

• behaviour problems associated with developmental delay

'The gym in the Centre'

When your child has been referred to the CDC, a first appointment is with the paediatrician who will, if necessary, request further assessments from other members of the team.

When all the assessments are complete, a treatment programme is planned with the parents.

This may include therapy for a child on an individual basis or in one of the groups run at the centre. In addition, support and help is provided to parents, carers and, in some circumstances, teachers.

Your child's progress is likely to be followed up regularly by one of the CDC doctors, who co-ordinates treatment and liaises with the family doctor and, if necessary, with other professionals involved with your child.

The centre has a lot of information about:

• benefits

• Blue badge scheme for cars

• Children's Disability Team

• voluntary organisations

• local services

• relevant websites

• specific diagnoses

Further information is available from any members of staff when you attend for your appointment or Tel: 01223 216 662.

The Cambridge Toy Library for children with special needs is based at the CDC.

How you can help us?

We are always looking for ways to improve the quality of care we provide, and we want you and your family to let us know how we can do even better.

Please tell uswhat you think about our service, we would like to know if we do not meet the standards you expect. Please contact the Children's Services Manager on 01223 217 253.

For further information contact: The Child Development Centre, Children's Services, Box 107, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 216 662 (hospital extension 2662); Fax: 01223 242 171