The contract for the West Essex Children’s Community Healthcare Services ends in April 2027. Work has now begun to plan the future of the services. As part of this work Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, which commissions services for its population, wants to hear from people who have, or are currently, using the services to find out how they can be improved in the future.
On this page you will find links to a survey for parents and carers and a survey for children and young people. If you’re a partner providing services and support for children and young people in west Essex, we’d like to hear from you too.
The surveys open on Thursday 16 January and close for responses is Friday 21 February 2025.
What is included in the West Essex Children’s Community Healthcare Services
The West Essex Children’s Community Healthcare Services are services for children and young people up to the age of 18, (or 25 where appropriate for those with Special Educational Needs), who are registered with GPs in the Uttlesford, Harlow or Epping Forest area.
The services specialise in child health and development. They may be provided by:
- a doctor, known as a community paediatrician
- nurses who may help children and young people with short or long-term illnesses at home
- special school nurses
- speech and language therapists
- occupational therapist
- physiotherapist
- allergy nurses
- dieticians
- nurses that help with continence.
These services are not provided in a hospital or GP surgery. Children and young people may have used the services at a family centre, clinic (such as a Child Development Centre), at school or at home, depending on their needs and circumstances.
The West Essex Children’s Community Healthcare Services are delivered as part of the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service, which also includes the pre-birth to 19 services and Family Hubs commissioned by Essex County Council. The service is currently provided by HCRG Care Group.
How you can get involved
Parents and carers: Parents and carers of children and young people who have used the services listed above in the last three years, or are currently using them now, are being invited to complete a survey. This survey is to find out their experiences and thoughts about what worked well and what can be done to make things better for children, young people and their families.
Go to the parent and carer surveyChildren and young people: We know that children and young people may have their own views about the services designed to help them. That is why we also want to hear about what they thought was good and not so good, about the services they have used from the list above. There is a separate survey for children and young people to complete. Parents and carers are encouraged to support their young people if they need help to complete this.
Go to the children and young person surveyLocal organisations and partners: If you represent a local organisation that works with and alongside the West Essex Children’s Community Healthcare Service, we’d like to hear your experiences and suggestions for the future of the service. We have a dedicated stakeholder survey to collect your views.
Go to the stakeholder survey