Specialist Hospitals

There are four 'National Craniofacial Units' designated to provide specialist services for children and adults born with craniofacial problems in the United Kingdom:

• Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool
• Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham
• Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London
• Oxford Children's Hospital.

The Units aim to provide patients with co-ordinated treatment. Alongside their craniofacial expertise they work with other departments within the hospitals and the local community tailored to suit each patient. This should help patients and their carers to access the full range of disciplines and services they need to treat the various conditions.

Referrals by GPs are accepted at Liverpool, Birmingham and Oxford. However, Great Ormond Street, London requires referrals made via paedriatricians or other hospital consultants.

The services of the Supra Units are the responsibility of the National Specialist Commissioning Team (NSCT), which is part of the National Health Service (NHS) and is responsible for funding, managing and developing 'specialist services'. Please refer to Headlines Information Sheet 6 for more information on the NSCT function and responsibilities.