Meet the nurses keeping children out of hospital

Natalie Horner with daughter Poppy and Donna Pearce, Paediatric Nurse Practitioner

Nurses based in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale have been working to keep children out of hospital and reduce pressure on busy services over the winter.

The Paediatric Nurse Practitioners, from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, have helped half of their patients to avoid hospital by running clinics in the community.

The nurses, part of the Children’s Acute and Ongoing Needs Service, offer support for 0 to 19 year olds with a minor illness. They provide assessment and treatment, or a referral to another appropriate service, when a GP appointment is not available.

The team can also give health education to parents to help them look after their children’s health in future, where appropriate.

Donna Pearce is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner. She said: “By reassuring parents and giving health education, we can help to prevent minor illnesses from getting worse, which could result in the child ending up in hospital.

“Our service is helping to reduce pressure on A&E and urgent care services, so they are freed up to look after those at higher risk.”

Janine Parry, Paediatric Nurse Practitioner, added: “We know that it can be really stressful for parents when their child gets poorly, so it is important for them to have quick and easy access to support or advice.

“It is really rewarding helping children get back to feeling their normal selves and putting parents’ minds at ease.”

Natalie Horner, brought her 20-week-old daughter Poppy to see the nurses after she developed a cough and a temperature.

Natalie said: “The nurses checked Poppy over thoroughly, I am very happy with the treatment and I would definitely recommend the service to other parents.”