Described by colleagues as a team which goes above and beyond, the service supports and cares for children, and their families, who are diagnosed with complex and severe health conditions. The team also provide palliative support for patients who are unable to access the specialist services of an urban setting. The team prides itself on being a strong voice for the children and families they serve, advocating to ensure they get the same level of care that a child in a big city would receive. One of their innovations included setting up a multi-disciplinary team approach to supporting enteral feeding at home with a one stop clinic to ensure care is joined up and seamless across the specialities. They also developed a ‘near me’ virtual clinic during the pandemic to support their vulnerable patients who could not attend appointments.
The team’s goal is to demonstrate the value of good community children’s nursing and to encourage the nurses of the future to join the service and continue the legacy they have created.
Commenting on the team’s Award win, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director said:
“Nursing and midwifery play a key role in ensuring children receive the best start in life. The NHS Fife Children and Young People’s Community Nursing Service team has truly shown their outstanding contribution to the care of children and young people. Their holistic approach to caring for children and their families is truly deserving of the recognition they have received tonight”.
Congratulations also go to runner up, the Capella Team from NHS Dumfries & Galloway, and highly commended Brenda Kirk, Clinical Nurse Specialist Team Lead Paediatric Disability from Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (now working as Child Health Manager for West Argyll).
