The South West Cleft Service
COVID-19: A message for cleft patients and their parents
The coronavirus pandemic means that all cleft operations and
face-to-face cleft clinics in the United Kingdom and Ireland were
delayed. We appreciate how difficult this must be for you as
parents/patients.
Primary Surgery
If your baby hasn't already had his/her cleft repaired you will
naturally be concerned about the impact the Covid-19 restrictions
will have on this. Our operating schedule was suspended for 4
months. This, along with changes to operating and admissions
systems in the future, will inevitably result in delays to your
baby's surgery from our usual timings. Please be assured that, as a
Team, we are very aware of the anxiety this will cause you and will
do everything we can to minimise the impact of this situation where
possible. If you have any specific questions, please do not
hesitate to contact your usual Cleft CNS or any nurse via the Cleft
Team Reception 0117 342 1177.
Speech
While we do not think that a 3-4 month delay in cleft lip or
cleft palate repair will have a big effect on your child's results
in their later life, babies who have their cleft palate surgery
after one year of age may need more speech therapy. If you are
concerned about speech at this time please click here for further
information.
Additional Surgery
Additional Surgery includes surgery to help with speech or
appearance concerns and alveolar bone grafting. We do not believe
there will be any detrimental effects in terms of the outcomes of
the surgery. However, we are very aware that delays to surgery may
well cause significant distress.
Further information which you may find helpful can also be found
here
https://www.clapa.com/news-item/resumption-of-cleft-services/
Orthodontic/Dental care
Currently after suspension of routine dental treatment during
lockdown we are resuming services with some restrictions. There
will be delays to treatment appointments as a result of this. If
you have any dental pain please contact your dentist, if you do not
have a dentist please contact 111.
Some helpful dental advice for Children's tooth brushing has
been produced by British society of paediatric dentistry.
0-3 YEARS https://youtu.be/owbp5F0K45c
3-6 YEARS https://youtu.be/lQE4xxk1r5g
7+ YEARS
https://youtu.be/GHS27DHyIi0
If you or your child is undergoing brace treatment it is
important to keep your mouth and appliance clean. Sugary food and
fizzy drinks should be avoided. This will prevent damage to the
teeth including marks on the teeth that may last forever. This is
very important at this time where there might be a long wait for
the next appointment. If you have any problems with your braces
please contact the cleft orthodontist treating you.
There is helpful advice on British Orthodontic society
website www.bos.org.uk
Wellbeing
We know that this is a difficult time and there is a lot of
change. It is normal to feel scared or worried when there is so
much change. It is important to look after yourself and your family
during this time.
The Cleft Psychology Team have written some advice to help you
manage any difficult feelings about delays to cleft treatment and
surgery. Please click
here and here for
further information for adults whose treatment has been affected.
Click here for parents of children whose treatment
has been affected.
You can find additional advice on mental health and wellbeing
and coronavirus at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19
For advice on talking to children about coronavirus visit:
www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-highlights-importance-talking-children-about-coronavirus
For advice on what children can understand about being sick at
different ages and stages and how they can be helped to understand
coronavirus, visit
www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/advice-talking-children-about-illness.
Coming to an appointment with the Cleft Team at Bristol
Dental Hospital
Please follow the information here for advice on
coming to the hospital. The staff you meet will be wearing personal
protection equipment (PPE). If you are bringing a child or person
who may find this difficult you could show them this
picture to help them know what to expect.
Contact us
You can still contact us on the usual numbers and we will do our
best to help.
South West Cleft service office: 0117 342 1177
ubh-tr.swcleftservice@nhs.net
