RCN and WellChild call for more community children’s nurses

Published: 16 March 2009

The Royal College of Nursing has joined with the national children’s charity, WellChild, to urge the Government to address the severe shortages of community children’s nurses. Both organisations say that a lack of these nurses means thousands of children spend unnecessary months in hospital when they could be cared for at home.

The comments came as the two organisations launched the Better At Home campaign. This campaign focuses on improving care for children and young people with complex health care needs at home, calling on the Government to invest in community children’s nurses
 
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr. Peter Carter said:

“Children can often spend month after month in hospital because there are not enough community children’s nurses to care for them at home even though it’s safe to do so. We want children to be cared for at home with their family around them wherever possible. The Government should invest more in community children’s nurses and provide the necessary resources so that no child is stuck unnecessarily in hospital when they can be at home.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Kedge Martin said:

“There is longstanding and widespread evidence that most children and their families benefit from being in hospital for the briefest time. Hospital can be emotionally, practically and financially disruptive to both the child and the family.
Since 2006, demand has been considerable and our nurses have made a remarkable impact on many lives, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. As advocates for this vulnerable group of children, WellChild is delighted to be joining with the RCN to call for a lasting and equitable solution, and for the opportunity of care at home to be provided to all families in the UK.”

The campaign has received widespread support and currently over 80 MPs have pledged to support an Early Day Motion placed in support of the campaign.

Further information

Key findings of the Better at Home campaign research include:

  • Young people are better cared for at home. Despite this, large numbers of children remain in hospital for months, even years, when they could be with their families.
  • Financial savings of caring for a child at home are between £140,000 and £470,000 per year for a child requiring long-term ventilation.
  • Care at home for a child with significant acquired brain injuries has savings as high as £490,000 per year.
  • In 140 Hospitals and Primary Care Trusts in England, there are 178 children in hospital for at least three months who could be cared for at home.

WellChild is the national charity for sick children and is committed to helping children and their families throughout the UK as they deal with the consequences of serious illness and complex conditions. Go to the WellChild website.