The Children’s Community Nursing Service supports children with Health Needs at home and within community settings such as Nurseries, Schools and Respite Centres. The purpose of Community Nursing Teams is to help prevent Hospital Admissions, to enable children to come home from Hospital earlier, and to reduce re-attendance. This is done by home visits for nursing input, supplying essential equipment and providing training and support to parents, carers, and extended family.
The Children’s Community Nursing Service in RBKC encompasses the following services:
Home Care Support Team- A nurse led team of care workers who provide respite care and support children and young people at home, following detailed Assessment of the child’s needs and providing they meet recognized criteria. The care workers are all trained to provide specialist care tailored to individual children, young people and their families.
Kaleidoscope- A palliative care service, who provide symptom management and/or end of life care.
The Community Play Specialists– Provide support to child and young people through play to help them prepare for, or cope with, the procedures they are going through. They also offer play to help children and young people work through their emotional journey associated with their health needs.
Specialist School Nursing Team- Provides Health Care to children in some of the Special Schools in the area, ensuring they are supported to be in school. The Nurses and Play Specialists work closely with other Professionals from both Hospital and Community Services, as well as professionals from Education, Social Services, and Voluntary Organisations.
Some of the services provided by the children’s community nursing services include:
- Blood sampling
- Care of children with cancers and leukemia’s
- Giving intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous medication
- Home oxygen therapy
- Wound management
- Special or complex health needs
- Support and equipment for nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feeds
- Children who are dependent on medical technology
- Continuing Care needs
- Palliative and end of life care
- Bereavement support
- Medical, developmental, and bereavement play
This service is accessed via a referral from Hospitals and Urgent Care Centres, GP’s, Health Professionals and Social Service Teams. Families known to the service are also able to re-refer themselves.
For more information please Telephone: 020 7266 8840