E&NH0335
Children’s team win recognition for
leading the way in paediatrics
They reach final three in regional health and social care
awards
Stevenage – 17 June 2009 – The Trust’s children’s team has received regional
recognition for creating a model of care that is now being held up as a shining
example to other trusts across the country.
They were selected as one of three finalists in the Innovative Acute Care category at
the East of England’s Health and Social Care Awards 2009.
Bernadette Herbert, the Trust’s divisional director for women’s and children’s
services, Jacinta Dunlea, lead children’s nurse, and Sue Fox, matron for children’s
services, all attended a glitzy awards ceremony at Stock Brook Country Club near
Billericay. Consultant paediatrician Dr Andy Raffles, who led the drive for innovative
change to the Trust’s children’s services, was unable to attend.
But although the team just missed out on winning their category, they were all
delighted with the recognition and praise that they received from the judges.
Bernadette said: “It’s great to get some recognition and the team here in the
children’s department are over the moon. Everyone had something to do with what
has been achieved. It’s not been an easy journey and a lot of hard work has been put
in to getting the service to the stage it’s at now, from the executive team right across
to the front line staff.”
Work began on reshaping children’s services with the Better Care for Sick Children
consultation, back in 2005.
2/ Children’s team win recognition for leading the way in
paediatrics
Everything was done to ensure that those who would use the service – children and
their families – were at the heart of every decision made.
Members of the public played key roles in steering groups, and local support groups
for children and their families were regularly given opportunities to provide feedback
on any proposals. Events were also organised where children as young as eight
were able to communicate how they would like their local health services to look.
Bernadette added: “Our service change was recognised because it focused on the
needs of patients and there was a great deal of involvement of the public and staff in
making these changes.
“The other thing that makes it work is the support provided through our community
nursing team for children to stay at home wherever possible. The whole ethos is that
children don’t come into hospital unless they really need to and if they do then their
stay is as short as possible.
“It’s a model of care that is working extremely well locally and is being implemented
nationally.”
The Trust’s children’s service now features:
24/7 A&E access for all children in east and north Herts, including a 16-hour
ambulatory unit at QEII and 24-hour ambulatory unit along with inpatient
facilities at the Lister
Specifically trained paediatric doctors and nurses
Designated transport support
Paediatric emergency nurse practitioners team
Dedicated safeguarding children suite
Integrated children’s community nursing team
Fully developed play specialist team
- ends For more information on this press statement, please call Peter Gibson, head of public
affairs on: 01438 781522 or Steve Creswell, public relations officer on: 01438 781736
(both direct lines); for out-of-hours, please page the duty press officer on 07659
103839.