Lighthouse Centre Visit - Leigh-on-Sea

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Anna Firth met staff and service users of Lighthouse Child Development Centre during a guided tour on Thursday, February 16.

THE MP for Southend West visited a centre that supports children and young people with complex needs.

Anna Firth met staff and service users of Lighthouse Child Development Centre during a guided tour on Thursday, February 16.

The centre in Snakes Lane provides specialist assessments and outpatient care and has been managed by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) since March 2022.

Their range of services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and psychological support.

It also offers a neurodevelopmental diagnostic pathway for children and young people who may have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, tics or Tourette’s syndrome.

Ms Firth said: “It was such a pleasure to tour the centre and see the warm, tailored care that NHS staff are providing to some of Southend’s youngest people.

“I was delighted to see the Lighthouse actively seeking to build relationships with both parents and teachers, whilst also cutting waiting times. I will be sure to bang the drum in Westminster on their amazing work and seek further investment in their facilities for the betterment of all.”

During her visit, Ms Firth met EPUT’s chief executive Paul Scott; Lynnbritt Gale, director of community delivery and partnerships for South East Essex; Hannah Van Der Puije, assistant director of community specialist children’s health services in South East Essex; and Dr Feena Sebastian, deputy medical director for Mid and South Essex Community Delivery.

Mr Scott added: “It was a pleasure to be able to show Anna Firth the Trust’s Lighthouse Child Development Centre and enable her to meet some of our fantastic staff who work tirelessly day in and out to provide outstanding care to service users.”

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