About Cleft.Net.East

Introduction

Cleft.NET.East is one of nine specialised cleft services across England and Wales. We are a regional network committed to providing high quality care to children, adults and their families affected by clefts, who live in the East of England (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Peterborough, Northamptonshire).

We aim to work together with you in your child’s care. As your child grows up, different members of our specialist team will become involved at different times.

The cleft team is based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

We hold a variety of clinics, both at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and across the East of England.

Who makes up the Cleft team?

We are a multi-professional, specialist team of clinicians who work closely together to provide high quality care for all patients within our network. Our team includes Cleft Surgeons, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Speech and Language Therapists, Audiologists, Orthodontists, Paediatric Dentists, Clinical Psychologists, Administration staff, Paediatricians and Medical Photographers.

In addition to the core team, we have clinical support and input from:

• Clinical Geneticists
• Paediatric Dental Nurses
• Ward Staff
• Anaesthetic and Theatre Staff

All surgery takes place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital where we have the full range of specialties and support services available. We also work closely with your local healthcare team.

Our clinics

Clinics held at Addenbrooke’s Hospital are as follows.

• Multi-disciplinary cleft clinic (for pathway and non pathway reviews)
• Preadmission clinic
• Dressing clinic
• Palate Investigation clinic - We have a selection of videos available for patients coming to this clinic.
• Audit clinic (Review clinic)
• Individual therapy clinic

It is useful to look at our pre-clinic questionnaire before attending your appointment. This will help you to think about what you would like to talk about and gain from your time with us.

There are two questionnaires – age is noted as guidance only - please use whichever format you find most suitable and accessible.

Outreach clinics are also held in some areas across the east of England

• Multidisciplinary clinic
• Specialist therapy clinic

All surgery takes place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital where we have the full range of specialties and support services available. 

Patient stories

Follow the link to read some of our many inspiring patient stories from Cleft.Net.East.