Abbreviations

Common abbreviations and acronyms used in healthcare and education

Medical Abbreviations

AAI
Atlanto-Axial Instability
AED
Anti-Epileptic Drug
ARC
Antenatal Results and Choices
ASD
Atrial Septal Defect
AVSD
Atrio-Ventricular Septal Defect
BP
Blood Pressure
CHD
Congenital Heart Disease
CTG
Cardiotocography
CVS
Chorionic Villus Sampling
CXR
Chest X-Ray
DS
Down Syndrome
ECG
Electrocardiogram
Echo
Echocardiogram
EEG
Electroencephalogram
ENT
Ear, Nose and Throat
EPR
Electronic Patient Record (computer system)
FBC
Full Blood Count
FMU
Fetal Medicine Unit
FSH
Follicular Stimulating Hormone
GORD
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease
HbA1c
glycated Haemoglobin
Hib
Haemophilus Vaccine
HLA
Human Leukocyte Antigen
HPV
Human Papillomavirus
IgA
total Immunoglobulin A
Men C
Meningococcal C
ML-DS
Myeloid Leukaemia in Down Syndrome
NGT
Naso-Gastric Tube
NHS
National Hearing Screening
NICE
National Institute for Clinical Excellence
NIPE
Neonatal Infant Physical Exam
NIPT
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
NNU
Neonatal Unit
OME
Otitis Media with Effusion
OSA
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
PCHR
Personal Child Health Record
PCV
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
PDA
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PPI
Proton Pump Inhibitor
PPV23
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
PSG
Polysomnography
PVD
Pulmonary Vascular Disease
QRS
QRS complex or interval on an ECG
SCBU
Special Care Baby Unit
SCR
Summary Care Record
SDB
Sleep Disordered Breathing
T4
Thyroxine (thyroid hormone)
TAM
Transient Abnormal Myelopoiesis
TFT
Thyroid Function Test
TPO
Thyroid Peroxidase auto-antibodies
TSH
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TTG
Tissue Transglutaminase antibody
USS
Ultrasound
VFF/VFSS
Videofluoroscopy
VSD
Ventricular Septal Defect
VZV
Varicella Zoster Virus

Therapy and Support Services

ADL
Activities of Daily Living
CAMH
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CDC
Child Development Clinic
CDT
Child Development Team
CIT
Combined Integrated Therapies
CYPOT
Children and Young People's Occupational Therapist
DSA
Down's Syndrome Association
DSMIG
Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group
HWT
Handwriting Without Tears
IAPT
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
IFT
Infant Feeding Team
MDT
Multi-Disciplinary Team
ORE
Oromotor Exercise
OT
Occupational Therapist/Therapy
PE
Physical Exercise
PWP
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
SAL
Speech and Language
SALT
Speech and Language Therapy/therapist/Team
SCAN
Service for Children and Adolescents with Neuro-developmental difficulties
SLT
Speech and Language Therapist
SOGS
Schedule of Growing Skills
TASC
Team for Assessing Social Communication
The BIG-DS
Barnet Integrated Groups for preschoolers with Down Syndrome
ToD
Teachers of the Deaf/Teachers of the hearing impaired
TVI
Teachers of students with Visual Impairments

Education and Social Care

CAF
Common Assessment Framework
CYP
Children and Young People
DCT
Disabled Children's Team
DES
Directed Enhanced Review
DLA
Disability Living Allowance
EHCP
Education, Health and Care Plan
EP
Educational Psychologist
EY SEN advisor
Early Years Special Educational Needs Advisor
EY SEND
Pre-School Teaching Team
HI
Hearing Impaired
HV
Health Visitor
IAG
Information, Advice and Guidance
LD
Learning Disability
LDR
Learning Disability Register
LEG
Leading Edge Group
MASH
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
MAT
Multi-Agency Team
MCA
Mental Capacity Act
NSPCC
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
PIP
Personal Independence Payment
PSHE
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education
SEN
Special Educational Needs
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
SEND
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
SENDIASS
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services
SENIF
Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding
SPA
Single Point of Access
SRE
Sex and Relationship Education
SW
Social Worker
VI
Visually Impaired

Local Services

BGH
Barnet General Hospital
EGH
Edgware General Hospital
GOSH
Great Ormond Street Hospital
HQ
Head Quarters
RFH
Royal Free Hospital
RNOH
Royal National Orthopedic Hospital
UCLH
University College London Hospital