Some children have more complex medical needs and we can support them through our children’s community nursing service. This is a specialist team of children’s nurses and child health carers who work with children and young people aged 0 – 18 years living in Northumberland and North Tyneside.
The service can be involved at different times throughout a child or young person’s life, for example following a hospital admission, during a period of illness or when a course of treatment is needed.
The nature and length of a child’s care will depend on their specific needs and support from the service may be anything from a few days to several months or until the young person reaches adulthood and is then supported by to adult services.
Your child’s care
Your child may see a children’s nurse and child health carer. We provide nursing care, advice and support to children, young people and their families at home and in a variety of community settings. We can support children who need, or have:
- naso-gastric tube feeding
- a gastrostomy
- a tracheostomy
- oxygen dependent infants and children
- administration of intravenous antibiotics, intra muscular or subcutaneous injections
- management of complex wounds
- technology dependency
We also provide advice, support and training to other agencies and services to enable them to meet the health needs of your child or young person. This includes children and young people with special educational needs and we contribute to their Educational Health Care plans to ensure their health needs are met.
Access to the service
Anyone involved with a child or young person’s care (including a parent or carer), where the child has a complex health need, can refer the child on to the service.
Following referral, a children’s community nurse will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment to assess your child’s nursing needs. A care plan specific to them will be agreed, where possible, with your child and yourself as their parent or carer. This plan will be reviewed and changed as required.
Contact us
If you would like to contact us on 01670 564070/ 07702690059 or email us at CCN
Our hours of work are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm Bank holidays. We do not offer a weekend service.
Special school nursing
Our special school nurses are health professionals with additional training to provide specialist nursing and public health advice in specific schools. This includes delivering education to children with disabilities and complex physical and/or emotional health needs.
We can provide information, support and advice for children and young people with emotional health needs, their parents and carers, and schools. We can help with a variety of issues including:
- health assessments and care plans
- training for school staff on specific health conditions and medications in school
- support with weight concerns
- healthy relationships
- the promotion of healthy lifestyles with groups and individuals
Nurses can discuss issues with you on the telephone, see you in school or visit you at home. If you need an appointment please call the nurse to arrange this. Nurses are available term time during school hours, though some after school appointments may also be available.
Students also have identified times at lunchtime drop in sessions when they can speak to the nurses or via their classroom teacher and support assistants.
Preparing for adulthood
If a young person between 14 to 18 years has complex and on-going physical health needs, we will work with you, your family, and services involved in your care such as doctors, specialist nurses to consider what support you might need in adulthood. This information is documented in your health transition summary care plan and a hospital passport which includes key information about your care. Young people who are 14 and over with a learning disability are entitled to a free yearly health check with your GP. We will write to you when you are due a health check.
School nurse contacts
- Beacon Hill School, Southlands School, Silverdale School, Silverdale Primary ARP – 0191 6433005/6433010
- Castle School, Northumberland Church of England Academy, Josephine Butler Campus – 01670 844322
- Cleaswell Hill School 01670 823182
- Hexham Priory School – 01434 613440
- The Grove School, Berwick Upon Tweed – 01289 306390
- Woodlawn School and Sixth Form, Beacon Hill Sixth Form, Melrose Centre & Benton Dene School – 0191 6432597
- Team Lead, Elaine Davies – 07795413396