The children’s community nursing service are a team of children’s nurses who provide nursing care to children with nursing needs in order to reduce attendance and admissions to hospital, and expedite hospital discharge.
We do this by providing hands on clinical care e.g. blood tests, giving chemotherapy, passing nasogastric feeding tubes, giving intravenous antibiotics, monitoring oxygen etc., as well as teaching and supporting parents and other care givers, such as extended family and school staff.
Support also includes the ordering and supplying of equipment necessary for the child, and liaising closely with other professionals involved with the child and family.
Some children are on our caseload for just a few days or weeks, whilst others will be known to the team over a number of years. Visits are tailored to the child and family’s needs. Sometimes an additional package of support is required, for which children and families would be assessed, and an additional care package may be provided, for example night carers.
We have our own team of care workers providing parents with short breaks in their own homes, as well as a community play specialist who helps to support children to cope with nursing interventions, for example those who are fearful of needles.
The team also have a nurse specialist for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and a bereavement play specialist.
The nurse supports children with symptom management and works closely with the team to support children and their families at home.
The team provide a 24 hour service for children and families where home is their chosen place to die. The bereavement play specialist will work with children and their siblings both pre and post bereavement.
In repsonse to COVID-19 the Children's Community Nursing team are offering an extended 7 day a week 8am-8pm service. This is intended to support earlier discharge of children from hospital and to prevent hospital admission or A&E attendance where possible.
Any health care professional e.g. GP, health visitor or hospital. Any other professional including a social worker, teacher, respite provider; parent (although we would need a healthcare provider to confirm need) can also refer to this service.
Referrers, parents and carers can contact the team by:
- Phone: 020 7266 8777
- Email: clcht.chirp@nhs.net
Inclusion
- 0 – 18 years with a nursing need, and living in either the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.
Exclusion
- Over 18 years of age
The Medical Centre
- Address: Woodfield Road, W9 3XZ
- Phone: 020 7266 8777
- Email: clcht.chirp@nhs.net
In response to COVID-19 we have extended our working hours.
Opening times: 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm (including bank holidays).
The team also provide 24 hours on-call care for end of life care at home. The service operates 365 days a year.
Children are mostly seen at home but are also sometimes seen at school or nursery.
Our team is based at The Medical Centre, Woodfield Road and occasionally children may be seen at this location.