What is the CEW Clinic?
CEW stands for 'complications from excess weight'. This clinic is for children and young people with significant health problems related to obesity, such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnoea and poor mental health. The service uses a holistic approach to treating the complications of excess weight, that gives equal consideration to mental health, physical health and social needs.
How is the service provided?
The initial assessment phase is likely to be provided largely by telephone/ video consultation. This will allow us to explain the service to you and for us to gain some an insight into your child’s needs, whilst remaining easily accessible. You will also be asked to complete a number of online questionnaires, including dietary assessments; these may be online, or will be sent to you in the post. It is important that we have this information so that we can tailor our support to your child’s specific needs.
Completing the initial phase means that the first time you visit the CEW Clinic at Addenbrooke’s Hospital we will already have some understanding of your child’s needs and be developing some ideas about how best to support you and your child. Follow-up appointments with a dietitian or psychologist may may then be offered, which will be held every two weeks, either in clinic or by telephone/ video.
Where is the CEW clinic held?
The CEW clinic is held at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in the Weston Centre, which is in the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC) building.
Who will I meet?
There is a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to the CEW service. You may meet some of the following team members, either face to face or by telephone/ video consultation:
- Honorary consultant paediatric endocrinologist
- Consultant
- Specialist support nurse
- Paediatric obesity dietitian
- Clinical psychologist
- Assistant psychologist
- Respiratory physiologist
What will happen in clinic?
On arrival, please book in at reception. You will see the nurse, who will weigh and measure your child and arrange blood tests and any other investigations requested by the doctors. The nurse will be there to support help you to complete any outstanding assessments, and to discuss any questions or concerns you may have either during your visit, or between visits by phone or email. You might also see other members of the CEW team.
How long will the appointment take?
It is best to allow at least an hour for your appointment, but it may take longer, depending on who you see and what tests might be requested. If your child needs a quiet space to wait, please let a member of staff know. In the waiting area, there are things to keep your child occupied, and within the hospital there are shops where you can buy refreshments.
What if my child needs a blood test?
Blood tests can often be done here in clinic. We offer 'magic cream' or 'cold spray' to numb the skin if your child is worried about it hurting. Please speak to a member of the team if you have any questions.
How do we get a copy of the clinic letter?
You will receive a copy of the letter sent to your referring clinician following your appointment. This will describe what was discussed at your appointment and provide the results of any investigations when these are available. If it does not arrive, please contact our secretary for a replacement on 01223 274311.
How do we get the results of any investigations?
Where possible, the results of any investigations will be included in the clinic letter. You can also register for MyChart on your child’s behalf with the clinic receptionist; this will allow you online access to results. However, some tests take several weeks before a result is available.
What if I have questions before or after the appointment?
Please do feel free to contact our team (weekdays 09:00 to 17:00) if you would like to discuss the appointment, or if you have questions:
- Clinic nurse: 01223 217496
- Weston Centre reception for appointments: 01223 348576
- Email Complications from excess weight (CEW) clinic
What if I cannot attend an appointment?
Please let us know if you cannot attend an appointment, by calling reception at the earliest possible opportunity on 01223 348576.
References/ Sources of evidence/ Further information
We are smoke-free
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital campus. For advice and support in quitting, contact your GP or the free NHS stop smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169.
Other formats
Help accessing this information in other formats is available. To find out more about the services we provide, please visit our patient information help page (see link below) or telephone 01223 256998. www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/accessible-information/
Contact us
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road, Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Telephone +44 (0)1223 245151
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/contact-enquiries/