Waiting Well – ESSENCE-D Questionnaire

In the coming weeks NHS Orkney will be contacting, via letter, parents and guardians of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment inviting them to take part in a Scottish Government funded project to improve and support those waiting for an assessment.

The project involves completing a questionnaire to help build a fuller picture of the child’s strengths and requirements. Following completion, families will be directed to an online resource which provides access to local and national support, information and practical advice. This support is designed to help families access the right information at the right time, rather than waiting until after an assessment. 

Lou Willis, Children’s Services Manager at NHS Orkney said: “I’d like to really encourage everyone who receives this questionnaire to please take the time to complete it. It is not a short questionnaire and could take up to an hour to complete which demonstrates how detailed it is and how beneficial it will be to complete, giving a fuller picture of your child’s strengths and requirements. The questionnaire does not need to be completed all at once, you can save your progress and return to it later.”

Completing the questionnaire does not replace a clinical assessment nor does it affect the child’s place on the waiting list.

If anyone has any questions or requires support with the questionnaire, please contact ork.ndpathway@nhs.scot.