Health Services for Children and Young People with Complex Medical Needs

There are a range of services to support children and young people with complex medical needs.

Children’s Community Nursing Team

The Children’s community Nursing Team work with children, families and education staff. They enable children to maintain their best level of health within their home and school environment. They are based in Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children but work in the community.

The team supports and helps parents and carers to care for their sick or injured child at home. This reduces the need to travel to and from hospital. It also ensures as little disruption as possible to the routine of young patients and families.

They work closely with:

• Families

• Social Care

• Education

• Therapists

• GPs

• Consultants

• Voluntary Agencies.

They work to ensure that all services and equipment is in place where needed before the child is discharged.

Requests come from either hospital services or through the GP. The young person must be under 18 and registered with a Sutton GP.

Wheelchair and Specialist Seating Service

The wheelchair service is based at Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton. They provide specialist assessment and provision for wheelchairs and postural mobility seating. They also provide pressure care to children and young people with mobility difficulties.

The Wheelchair Service is delivered by a specialist team of staff. They have skills in a wide range of clinical areas to enhance young people's mobility needs. Visit the Wheelchair Service website for more information [External Link].

They accept referrals for assessment for children and young people under 18. They must be registered with a Sutton GP and come from healthcare professionals.

Specialist Equipment

Specialist equipment can be provided for young people with complex health needs or disabilities. A range of equipment is available. This depends on the young person's health needs and could include:

• Specialist Beds and Sleep Systems

• Pressure Mattresses

• Postural Support Systems

• Special Seating

• Standing Frames

• Walking and Mobility Aids

• Communication Aids

Requests for equipment can be made for young people under 18. They must be registered with a Sutton GP. Requests are usually made by healthcare professionals. This includes community nurses and therapists.

Children’s Continuing Care

Sutton’s Children’s Continuing Care provides health care and support to families of young people. These young people have complex medical needs or palliative care needs. This includes end of life care. The service is for young people under the age of 18 who registered with a Sutton GP. They must meet the health eligibility criteria. Continuing Care meets the needs of young people and their families in a range of locations. This includes at home or over-night stays in specialist provision. Continuing care providers in Sutton include:

• Epsom and St Helier Children's Community Nursing Team

• Specialist Palliative Care Provision via Shooting Stars Chase Children's Hospice.

Shooting Stars Chase ensures all young people and their families with palliative needs can access the services they need. This includes:

• Specialist Consultant and Nursing Palliative Care Medical Support and Advice

• Admission for Symptom Management

• Short Breaks and Respite Care

• Hospice at Home

• End of Life Care

• Bereavement Support

To find out more, visit the Shooting Star Chase Children's Hospice website [External Link].

Referrals for assessment for eligibility come from healthcare and social care professionals.