Download Birmingham Children`s Hospital NHS Trust

Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust
Ward Profile
February 2009
Introduction
Birmingham Children’s Hospital has been an integral part of the City of Birmingham for almost 150
years and has always led the way in child health for the City and the region.
We were the first to fit a pacemaker into a three-day-old baby, the first to separate conjoined twins
(joined at the base of the back), and the first to treat child patients with over 90% burns successfully.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a remarkable organisation. We pride
ourselves on not just caring for the child but for the family as a whole: everyone matters, and what
we do is not just about cure but also about promoting health throughout the region and beyond.
This is a brief glimpse of what we do, who we are, where we’re going, and how we’d
like to work with you. The welfare of Children and Young People drives us all: let us show you how.
Our child-friendly wards and corridors are home to one of the country’s busiest places of healthcare,
and one of the biggest employers in the European city with the youngest population. We serve the
people of Birmingham and the Black Country, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire,
Shropshire, Staffordshire – and beyond for specialist services.
Our facilities include:
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A 20 bedded Intensive Care Unit – the largest single unit of its type in the UK.
15 other wards, including two Day Wards.
280 beds, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
34 Specialties and supporting departments.
A modern Emergency Department treating over 45,000 patients a year.
Nine operating theatres.
Two MRI scanners and a CT scanner.
A cardiac catheter laboratory, for diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood
vessels in the chest. We have one of the largest Heart Units in the UK, accepting patients
from throughout Europe.
Liver Unit – one of only three in the UK – treating over 500 inpatients and performing over 40
liver transplants yearly. We are the only national centre in the UK providing small bowel and
liver transplants in children.
One of only four services in the country caring for children who suffer with abnormalities of
the skull and face.
One of only two Units in the UK for treating blood disorders in children. A national centre for
treating retinoblastoma (cancer of the eye).
A regional blood dialysis and kidney transplant service.
A Burns service which provides treatment for almost half the country, housed in our
first significant new build since 1998.
All of which adds up to:
Over 45,000 Emergency Department attendances, 27,500 in-patient and day cases and 118,000
out-patient attendances in 2006-07 alone.
Opportunities are therefore numerous for both newly qualified or experienced paediatric nurses to
join our existing team. This pack contains brief descriptions of most of the services in which our
nurses work. Please contact the individual departments if you wish for further information about any
particular area. The main hospital telephone number is 0121-333 9999.
Ambition Statement
“Caring for Children, Young People and their Families”
Our Core Purpose:
To lead exceptional services for the health and well being of every child and young person
Our Core Values:
We are Focused on, Caring for and Committed to children and young people.
Our Goals:
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The West Midlands will have the healthiest children and young people in the UK
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We will be the partner of choice
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Children and young people will be healthy, protected, educated and treated with respect
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We will be an international leader of children and young people’s healthcare
Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides a wide range of general and
specialist health services to children and adolescents within the West Midlands and beyond. As
Birmingham's lead provider of health services for children, Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust enjoys a national and international reputation in specialist areas including liver
transplantation, cardiac surgery and neonatal surgery. Providing one of only two centres in the UK,
the liver unit is the designated centre for small bowel transplantation, whilst the heart unit leads the
field in congenital heart disease. The Trust also manages city-wide Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Services (CAMHS).
Nursing Philosophy of Care for the Child and Family
This Philosophy outlines our beliefs about family centred nursing care, provided by staff with
recognised education and training, in a variety of settings throughout the Trust.
Individualised care will be planned and negotiated with the child and family. They will be
supported to participate in all aspects of care, as they feel able.
In each case setting the child and family will be introduced to a named person who will be
responsible for planning and co-ordinating their care, respecting and valuing the
contribution of the healthcare team.
Care will be provided within a safe and friendly child centred environment.
Each child and family will be listened to, their wishes and feelings acknowledged, and
their right to privacy, dignity and worth respected.
To enable participation in decision making, the child will have access to information
through education and play, relevant to their age and understanding.
The cultural, spiritual and religious needs of the child and family will be met in a sensitive
and respectful manner.
Play and education will be part of each child’s planned care.
Within this Philosophy the Child refers to infants, children and adolescents. Family refers to
normal carers and significant others who have a role in the care of the child.
Emergency Department
General profile
This is a 24 hour, Consultant led, type 1 Emergency Department caring for the needs of 43000
children and young people requiring unscheduled care. Although a large proportion of our patients
require intervention which is of a primary care nature, there is still large proportions that are critically
ill or injured who require high level clinical expertise in this acute phase. Patients arrive here by self
referral, GP referral, and also by land and air ambulance.
Given the widespread clinical specialisation of services throughout the Trust, the Emergency
Department team has the capability to deliver a first class service to all children and young people
from ages 0-16 years, regardless of their clinical history and acute care needs.
We are proud of the outstanding service delivery of this department in terms of high standards of
clinical care and consistent achievement of national targets including 4 hour waiting times, trolley
waiting times, Essence of Care benchmarking and NSF achievements to name only a few. There is
a true team spirit in ED where there is a passion to deliver quality care with excellent health
outcomes. Developments are truly collaborative and innovation is positively encouraged.
New starters
Whether you are newly qualified, moving from a different location or specialty, The ED will provide
excellent mentorship and preceptorship to all within the nursing team.
Throughout their first few weeks of appointment, all newly qualified staff undertake a comprehensive
8 day induction programme which aims to give you an overview of a variety of circumstances
whether they be clinical or managerial. The programme is led by the ED nursing team and includes
external speakers for some topics. For existing qualified staff that are new to the department, this
programme is attended according to need and previous experience.
The ED operates a system of buddies, mentors and preceptors, accounting to individual need. This
is determined within the first week of your appointment to the department.
Training
The ED nursing team have an extremely structured approach to training and development for all
members of the team. A training strategy is available to all staff and which comprehensively
identifies how staff self select their training requirements through the process of Professional
development. Access to the training strategy can be made using the following link:
E.D. Training Strategy 2007 - 2008
On a daily basis, the nursing team are allocated 30 minutes training time for those staff on duty.
These sessions are lead by the staff themselves and a robust system of allocation and evaluation is
available.
All nursing staff in the ED are expected to complete all ED related competencies available in order
to provide evidence of individual capability reflecting the skills required to maintain high standards of
nursing care. Access to the 187 page ED competency document can be made using the following
link:.
E.D. Nursing Competency Document
Shift patterns
The ED has developed a variety of shift patterns in order to cover service needs and to maintain
flexibility to promote family friendly practices. A choice of long or short days can be made, working a
3, 4 or 5 day week (pro rata). Some shift patterns included are:
0730-1500
1130 - 0000
1400-2130
1400-0000
0730-2130
1600-0000
2115-0745
Nursing organisation
To support professional development, line management, performance management and
communication to staff, the nursing team operate a system of team leadership which is cascaded
throughout the team. A copy of the performance management structure can be viewed by clicking
the link below:
Performance Management Structure
Contact Numbers
Should you wish to discuss any element of working practice in the ED please feel free to contact us
on: 0121 333 9526 – Nurse Manager, or 0121 333 9510/11 – ask to speak to the most senior nurse
on duty
Cystic Fibrosis Unit and Respiratory Nurses
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the commonest inherited disease in the UK affecting predominantly the
respiratory and digestive systems. BCH is a regional centre providing care for approximately 350
children from aged 0-about 16 years, from throughout the West Midlands. Many children need
admission to hospital with an acute exacerbation of their disease and all of the children require a
daily regime of treatment involving physiotherapy, medication and dietary supplements.
We also support patients with asthma and chronic respiratory disorders.
Children with cystic fibrosis and patients with chronic respiratory diseases are not disabled, but they
and their families need ongoing support to cope with chronic illness to maintain a good quality of life.
To enable them to achieve this, the Cystic Fibrosis Unit has a highly experienced liaison staff
(physiotherapists and Nurse Specialists) who work with patients and their families, community health
professionals, schools and the staff at district general hospitals with whom effective shared care is
essential. This involves teaching and lecturing, also visiting families at home, at schools and within
other hospitals. Our involvement starts from the day of diagnosis or referral and may involve terminal
care, but more often, we hope ultimately to support patients through the transition from childhood to
adulthood.
BCH now has a team of respiratory nurses consisting of a 5 Respiratory and CF Nurse specialists
who provide clinical and emotional support, education, and advice for the patients and their families.
under the care of the three respiratory consultants. One of these nurses is particularly involved in
research and clinical trials.
They have established teaching programmes for schools and community health staff. This team also
works closely with the primary health care team and staff at district general hospitals throughout the
West Midlands.
All 5 respiratory nurses are involved with student nurse teaching, regularly have students to spend
short periods of time with them and are available to help students with assignments.
Sue Saunders: Clinical Nurse Specialist Cystic Fibrosis – Team Leader.
Education Centre
The Professional Development Team
The Professional Development Team contributes to the constant improvement of Child and
Family Centered Care within the Trust through practice development initiatives, education and
training.
As a Team we are committed to meeting the needs of the Trust to help maintain development
opportunities for Pre and Post Registered Nurses. We offer a wide variety of training and
education that enhance the provision of care for children and their families.
For further information, the team can be contacted Monday-Friday on 0121 333 8606.
Professional Development Team:
Jo Correa West – Professional Practice Development Facilitator, Ext 8610
Lorna DeBourg – Professional Practice Development Facilitator, Ext 8610
Responsible for implementing and facilitating progressive career development opportunities for
qualified Nurses, NQN programme, in order to maximise the personal and professional
development of Nurses and enhance quality of care.
Paul Mcvittie – Resuscitation Service Manager, Ext 8649
Responsible for planning, organising and implementing resuscitation training, including both basic
and advanced paediatric life support to identified staff groups within the Trust.
Provides professional advice and support in relation to training, techniques and equipment.
Richard Ormonde and Helen Cope – Resuscitation Officers, Ext 8649
Responsible for planning, organising and implementing resuscitation training, including both basic
and advanced paediatric life support to identified staff groups within the Trust.
Provides professional advice and support in relation to training, techniques and equipment.
Hermione Montgomery - Lead Nurse - Quality of Care, Ext 8609
Develops and implements a strategy to promote evidence-based practice which reflects the
principles of child and family centred care. In collaboration with the senior nursing team,
develops quality initiatives to promote standards of care, including the use of the Essence of Care
audit tool as a benchmark. Works with the Professional Development Team and Clinical
Governance Unit to contribute to the design and delivery of ‘in-house’ educational programmes,
which promotes the development of evidence-based practice through the audit of nursing
practice. Works with the senior nursing team and Child & Family Centred Care Group to promote
a culture of child and family centred care across the Trust.
Jay Kumar - Clinical Skills Educator, Ext 8617
Responsible for leading the development and implementation of progressive continuing
professional development opportunities in relation to competence and clinical skills across the
Trust, ensuring that the workforce has the clinical and professional skills to deliver a high quality
of care.
Practice Placement Managers;
Nikki Hurst, Ext 8646, Lisa Gilks, Ext 8613
Responsible for ensuring all undergraduate/pre-registration healthcare students experience a
high quality practice-learning environment, in order to achieve competencies/proficiency,
delivered through a robust and fully integrated partnership between the Higher Education
Institutions, Service Providers and the Strategic Health Authority.
Responsible for facilitating and enhancing support for students by ensuring practice
assessors/educators/supervisors are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and experience to
support and supervise students within a practice setting.
Helen McNeish - Healthcare Support Worker Development Facilitator Ext 8607
Responsible for implementing and facilitating progressive career development opportunities for
healthcare support workers. Delivers high quality care in a modern multi- professional service.
Supports educational and clinical best practice by facilitating the development of the healthcare
support workers career framework, through implementation and effective evaluation of standards,
policies and service development.
Fiona Gaughan - Professional Development Team Secretary
Ext 8606
Provides secretarial/administrative support for the Professional Development Team, Training &
Education.
Sharon Blair - Resuscitation Services Team Secretary
Ext 8648
Provides administrative support to the Resuscitation Services Team.
Haemoglobinopathy Service
Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust has the largest paediatric Haemoglobinopathy centre in
the UK.
There are over 500 children registered at this hospital, with a Haemoglobinopathy disorder and
referrals are accepted from the whole of the West Midlands region and beyond. The greatest
proportion of these children have Sickle Cell Disease or Thalassaemia Major with small numbers of
the less common Haemoglobinopathy disorders for example Diamond Black Fan Anaemia,
Sideroblastic Anaemia, Hereditary Spherocytosis and PKD.
2 Consultant Paediatric Haematologists and a Haemoglobinopathy Liaison Sister provide the service
with support. BCH also offers shared care with the some local hospitals.
Specific Services Available:
Pre-natal diagnosis and counselling
Neo-natal screening and follow-up (in conjunction with Clinical Chemistry)
Weekly haemoglobinopathy review clinic
Transfusion programme
Chelation programme (subcutaneous and intravenous)
Bone marrow transplant and follow up
Cord stem cell collection
Transcranial Doppler to assess stroke risk in sickle cell patients
Endocrinology, Visual, Audiology and Cardiology assessments and follow up
The Haemoglobinopathy Liaison Nurse provides an immediate point of reference for the families and
act as the child and family's advocate.
We have close links with other hospitals with large ethnic minority populations and are often asked
advice from other centres. The service we offer is, we believe, unique in the UK and we hope may
provide a model for other centres thinking of setting up similar services. We have close links with the
adult services at City Hospital and have an active adolescent transition programme. We aim to host
educational workshops for the 11+ patients and then take them out for a fun activity at least once a
year. Activities include rock climbing and paintballing as well as meeting the president of the UK
Thalassaemia Society.
The unit is open from 0800 to 1700 Monday to Friday according to staffing. The unit is closed at
weekends and all bank holidays. We are a team of 5 nurses so there is an excellent mentorship
programme for new starters from all the team. There is the opportunity to expand the nursing role to
include venepuncture and cannulation. Staff have the opportunity to attend the Haemoglobinopathy
course at BCU which is run annually as well as attending national Haemoglobinopathy conferences.
Natalie Lawson
Senior Sister
Haemoglobinopathy Unit
0121 333 8688
Isabel Adams
Haemoglobinopathy liaison Sister
Haemoglobinopathy Unit
0121 333 8862
Haemophilia Unit
The Haemophilia Unit at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Trust is the West Midlands
Regional Paediatric Comprehensive Care Centre caring for children with congenital coagulopathies
or thrombotic disorders, closely associated with an anticoagulant service caring for children
receiving anticoagulant therapy.
A Haematological diagnostic service is provided by Birmingham Children’s Hospital Coagulation
Laboratory and Genetic Diagnostic Services are available via Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Haemophilia Genetics Laboratory. A consultant led genetic counselling service for inherited
haemostatic disorders is provided whilst a genetic education service is led by the Senior Specialist
Haemophilia Nurse.
The Haemophilia and Anticoagulant services are directed by a lead Consultant Haematologists. Two
Consultant Haematologists, a Senior Specialist Haemophilia Nurse, a Specialist Haemophilia Nurse,
an Anticoagulant Nurse Practitioner and a Junior Sister comprise the current clinical team. A Clinical
Psychologist and Physiotherapist are attached to the unit along with the close co-operation of
Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dentists and General Surgeons. Other specialists are consulted as required
for patient management.
Approximately 20 - 30 new patients with bleeding disorders are diagnosed each year with a total
caseload of > 300 children and adolescents aged up to 16 years. Both out-patient and in-patient
care is facilitated, complimented by home treatment programmes for severely affected
haemophiliacs and a home monitoring programme for patients requiring long term INR testing.
Children and parents are trained to administer intravenous factor concentrate in the home
environment to facilitate independent care, whilst patients and families complete education in home
monitoring in order they may undertake safe home INR monitoring. Home and school visits play an
essential role in providing and maintaining care in the community.
The haemophilia unit is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Specialist review clinics are held
weekly by the Consultant Haematologists together with scheduled multidisciplinary team clinics.
Anticoagulation clinics are held twice weekly in addition to specific dose monitoring regimes to
facilitate individual patient needs. In patient anticoagulant care is provided, together with scheduled
home monitoring review clinics.
Dianne Marshall Sr. Sp. Nurse - Haemophilia
Day Services
(Surgical Day care, Medical Day Care and Radiology Nurses)
The pathways of care implemented in day services differentiates from those of an inpatient ward
because the full spectrum of treatment is compressed into a few hours; therefore we only have a
short time to get it right.
Day Services consists of three areas; Surgical Day Care, Radiology and Medical Day Care. The
nursing team in all three areas provide a truly teamwork approach to care and deliver a high
quality service to children, young people and their families, who require admission to the units.
Surgical Day Care
We are a high turnover Day Surgical ward caring for children and adolescents undergoing
surgery and diagnostic tests. Day Surgery offers scope to develop a multitude of skills, raise
interests in different specialities and explore the concept of total patient care. We have 17 beds,
but our thoughput for the day is usually 20-27 patients. We have 32 Consultants who use the
ward. Excellent communication and organisational skills are essential to the smooth running of
the ward and to ensure quality care. We see our patients as individuals and aim for their stay to
be as fun and as free from trauma as possible.
The following surgical specialities use the ward: Ophthalmic; Orthopaedics; General Surgery; Ear
Nose Throat; Plastic and Laser surgery; Maxillo-facial; Hepatology;
Trauma; Dental and
Urology.
As can be expected, the environment is lively and friendly. We cover a full range of medical and
surgical specialties and that is why we work so closely within a multidisciplinary team, in order to
meet the needs of our patients.
The ward is open Monday to Friday 07.30hrs till 20.30hrs.
The shifts are –
Early 7.30-15.00
Late 11.30 – 19.00
Long Day 7.30 – 20.30
Medical Day Care
We are a 10 bedded unit providing care to children aged 0-16 years undergoing a variety of
investigations and treatment for acute and chronic conditions. We also provide an outpatient service
where children and young people may undergo medical reviews and minor investigations at short
notice.
We are a diverse and busy unit where no two days are the same and every day can bring new and
interesting challenges. We have 56 Consultants and a variety of specialist nurses that refer children
to us, thus providing opportunities to develop a multitude of skills.
The following medical specialties use the ward: Endocrinology; Gastroenterology;
Audiology; Neurology; Respiratory; Radiology; General Paediatrics ; Rheumatology;
Hepatology; Ear Nose Throat and Inherited metabolic Disease.
Care is provided using a multi-disciplinary team approach with the emphasis on the child/young
person and their family. We aim to further develop this service towards a more nurse led unit where
nurses will have skills in clinical examination, venepuncture and cannulation.
The ward is open Monday – Friday 07.30hrs – 18.00 hrs
The shifts areEarly 07.30 – 15.00
Late 10.30- 18.00
Mid 08.30 – 16.00
Long day 07.30 – 18.00
Radiology Nurses
Nurses from both wards rotate to cover the Radiology Department and care for childre/young people
who have been sedated to have either an MRI or CT scan. Nurses gain experience in: Care of
sedated children; Care of children undergoing scan; Working alongside the multidisciplinary team in
radiology.
Radiology is covered by the nurses 08.30hrs – 16.30hrs Monday to Friday.
The Day Services team are very flexible and adaptable and certainly enjoy a challenge. The team
are expected to be able to work in all three areas.
We have an excellent newly qualified staff nurse foundation year rotational programme which allows
nurses to gain experience in all three areas, supported by a preceptorship and performance
management programme. Once they have completed their first year they are based on one of the
two wards with all the experience and skills to be adaptable to the service needs and cover the other
two areas as required.
We provide placements for pupils for work experience student and nursing students from the
University of Central England and Birmingham University. Therefore teaching and assessing is an
integral part of our nursing role.
.Professional development for all staff is actively encouraged and everyone has equal opportunity to
develop themselves. A training strategy is available to all staff and which comprehensively identifies
how staff self select their training requirements through the process of professional development.
There are 4 team away days a year. The first one each year is an operational planning day where
the team set clear objectives for the coming year. All members of the team are encouraged to
participate and bring ideas so we can continue to improve the service we offer to the children and
their families
Debbie Walsh
Ward Manager/Senior Clinical Sister
Day Services
Ext. 9168
[email protected]
The Departments of Nephrology and Urology
Including Ward 14
The departments of Nephrology and Urology have combined to form a large department that
consists of outpatients clinic, Urodynamics Service, the Haemodialysis Unit, Community Team, and
an inpatient ward - Ward 14, which jointly provide a comprehensive service for both Nephrology and
Urology patients.
The unit has an established end stage renal programme with special expertise in both peritoneal
and haemodialysis, with community support. The haemodialysis unit provides a service for acutely ill
patients as well as timetabled sessions for patients requiring ongoing dialysis. There is an active
renal transplant programme; many transplants are now undertaken before the need for dialysis
arises.
All urological surgery and nephrological investigations requiring inpatient admission are undertaken
on Ward 14. Ward 14 has established a reputation for the holistic care of patients and their families
and for clinical excellence. The nephrology and urology services work very closely together to
ensure that patients and their families receive a seamless service.
The departments of nephrology and urology have a strong tradition of education and staff
development. The Department has strong links with the Birmingham City University and contributes
to the national Paediatric Nephro-Urology Course
Caron Eyre
Lead Nurse Nephro-Urology Service
Community Renal Team
It has long been recognised that caring for a child at home requiring dialysis (PD) can lead to
increased stress in primary carers, usually the parents. The renal unit is committed to innovations in
family centered care within the hospital setting and felt it necessary to extend this to the community,
thus providing seamless care.
The community renal team at present consists of two community liaison sister. The community
liaison sister co-ordinates the transition from hospital to home for families requiring dialysis and is
actively involved in both training families to undertake dialysis at home and providing ongoing
support after discharge.
The service works closely with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and is keen to offer staff
development and training to enhance individual staff skills and benefit the service. As a community
team, we are regularly involved in formal teaching and are visited by students undertaking a wide
variety of courses.
Sr. Sarah Taylor, Sr Carmel Capelett : Community Renal Team
Haemodialysis Unit
The Haemodialysis unit specialises in treating children between 0 and 16 years of age with a variety
of therapies, including Haemodialysis, plasma-exchange, plasma apheresis, ultrafiltration and
haemofiltration. The client group consists of a core of chronic end stage renal failure children but
there is also a group of children who require these therapies to manage acute renal failure in the
short term.
The haemodialysis unit operates a holistic approach to the family. The named nurse concept is
used to ensure that care is negotiated with the parents and children and with the multi-disciplinary
team.
Dialysis times for school age children are set to minimise educational disruption and there is a
schoolteacher available to work individually with the children and to link with their school. A play
therapist is available to help children overcome their fears and anxieties and she works closely with
a nursery nurse, who provides ongoing appropriate play.
The haemodialysis unit is open six days a week as a day case unit. The nurses participate in an oncall rota for treatments required out of hours.
The haemodialysis unit is committed to continuing career development and there are opportunities
to attend relevant local and national study days and conferences. There is the opportunity for nurse
to attend the Paediatric Nephro-urology course, the only such course in the UK.
Jessie Rahim. Sister Haemodialysis Unit
Transplant Service
The transplant service prepares children, young people and families for renal transplantation, and
supports them afterwards. We work closely with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure children, young
people and families have appropriate information to give informed consent for renal transplantation.
The team consists of two transplant nurses, a clinic nurse and a receptionist. Children who receive a
kidney transplant are nursed on Ward 14. After discharge, children and young people are seen
frequently in clinic to monitor their transplant and offer ongoing support.
We have an active Living Related Kidney Transplant programme, working closely with our adult
colleagues at the University Hospital of Birmingham. As a team, we are involved in international
trials of medications, and are committed to providing evidenced based, child and young people
focused clinical care. As a team we take the lead within the department in adolescent transition to
adult services, liaising with adult hospitals around the region to aid transfer for this group of patients.
Fiona Gamston, Renal Transplant Sister
Urodynamics Service
The Urodynamics Department is a nurse led service that delivers specialist urology diagnostics tests
for children up to the ages of 16. The Unit also provides teaching of catheterization to both children
and their parent’s who have micturation disturbances such as neuropathic bladder. We also provide
a community service whereby patients are managed at home then successfully transferred to
school. The Department is staffed by 1 Sister and 3 Staff Nurses.
Sister Sarah Kearney.
The Oncology/ Haematology Unit & Ward 15
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is the regional centre for treating children with malignant and nonmalignant haematology disease. On average we treat 180 new patients each year. This makes us
one of the largest centres in the country. Children from birth through to 18 years of age are treated
through primary, secondary and regional referrals.
The unit specialises in caring for children with:
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Malignant disease including leukaemia and solid tumours
Non malignant haematology including thalassaemia and sickle cell disease
Clotting disorders including Haemophilia
Malignant and non-malignant disease requiring bone marrow transplantation or peripheral stem
cell transplantation
High dependency needs
Care and treatment is provided by in-patient and outpatient facilities. The nursing team and support
staff are dedicated to the promotion of family centred care, encouraging parents and carers, as and
when they wish, to partake in both the planning and delivery of their child's care. An open and
honest approach promotes both trust and support between nursing staff and family members.
The outpatient areas include a dedicated day care clinic which has facilities for operating a day case
theatre list for children who may require diagnostic examinations and intrathecal treatment along
with facilities for providing day care chemotherapy, blood transfusions, immunotherapy as well as
conventional out patient review.
An additional clinic area is provided for children and families with clotting disorders, staffed by
nurses with specialist skills and interests within this field of paediatric nursing. (See Haemophilia
Unit)
Within the ward there is an area used bone marrow transplant patients attending as outpatients and
day cases.( See BMT team.)This room is made available for use as an adolescent recreational room
in the evenings and on weekends.
Facilities on Ward 15 comprise:
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A 6 bedded high dependency area, caring for children undergoing bone marrow transplantation
or with other conditions needing high dependency care
Two 3 bedded bays
Two 4 bedded bay s
4 single cubicles
The Nursing team is led by a Head of Nursing and a Lead Cancer Nurse, an
Advance nurse practitioner, and a team of Senior Sisters/Charge Nurses each with various
experience in the specialties covered across the unit.
The unit has an education team and we have a well developed educational pathway to meet the
needs of the qualified nurses, support workers and student team members.
An active preceptorship programme is also in progress, along with performance management. to
identify the individual team members learning needs, monitor their identified objectives and to
provide a framework for their development. We are committed to the education of students both pre
and post-registration.
Jackie Hotchin/ Adam Johnson
Ward Managers
The Macmillan Team
The Macmillan team contribute to the multidisciplinary team caring for children with a malignancy,
throughout the West Midlands region for the duration of the disease trajectory. Their caseload
includes some children with a non-malignant conditions.
The team place special emphasis on facilitating nursing support in the home and clinical expertise in
palliative care. We offer a 24 hour seven day a week telephone advice service for both the families
of children requiring palliative care and the health care professionals involved in the care.
The team act as a specialist resource and support to the Primary Health Care Team (PHCT)/Shared
Care Centres, Radiotherapy Department and Multi-disciplinary Teams at the Birmingham Children’s
Hospital (BCH) NHS Trust.
Undertaking education and training (both formally and informally) and research and audit are an
integral role of the Macmillan Team.
The Macmillan team are based within the Haemoglobinopathy Unit.
Sharon Beardsmore, Carol Davies, Nicki Fitzmaurice, Katherine Green, Sue Neilson and
Claire Simpson. Macmillan Nurses.
Operating Theatre Department
The Operating Theatre Department consists of NINE Operating Theatres, an Endoscopy Suite,
a Cardiac Catheter Suite and FOUR Recovery areas.
The department provides a 24 hour service to all surgical specialties within the hospital, which
include general, neonatal, neurosurgical, cranio-facial, genito-urinary including a neuropathic
bladder service, ENT including cochlear implants, facio-maxillary, dental, ophthalmic,
orthopaedic and trauma, cardiac, plastic, with a developing service in transplant surgery
including liver and small bowel.and burns
The department employs all grades of nurses and O.D.P, including newly qualified ODP’s and
provides clinical training placements for Trainee Operating Department Practitioners, students
from all over the West Midlands area. We have developed close links with Birmingham City
University for both pre and post registration courses.
We have a Lead Practitioner for Training and Education who links with the various education
centres and provides support to the department.
The department is managed by the Theatre Nurse Manager assisted by the Clinical Coordinators. The department is overseen by the Service Manager, who provides business
support.
We also have a well-developed information system, which is run by the Information Manager.
Information from theatres plays a vital role in the development of the Trust as a whole,
influencing the contracts from purchasers both regionally and supra-regionally.
Mary Tasewych
Clinical Nurse Manager
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a modern, spacious
purpose built 20-bedded Unit nominated as a Lead Centre for Paediatric Intensive Care (PIC)
services within the West Midlands region. We undertake the care and management of critically ill
children for a wide range of specialties including cardiac, hepatology, medical, oncology, renal and
trauma, both from within the hospital and as referrals from major district general hospitals. It also
supports a 24-hour retrieval service. The philosophy of PICU is to create an environment that is
conducive to providing the highest quality of evidence based care in a family orientated
environment.
Education and Professional Development
The PICU is committed to the on-going personal and professional development of all its staff. A
Senior Nurse co-ordinates training and education and there is an established Clinical Development
team that provides teaching programmes with support and supervision within the clinical setting to
enable staff to fully develop their knowledge and clinical skills.
Newly qualified and inexperienced nurses access the Foundations in Paediatric Intensive Care
course, which is validated with 36 CAT points by Birmingham City University at Diploma/Degree
level. The course duration is nine months and has theoretical and practical components. Further
specialist PICU study is available by undertaking the critical care pathway of the Bsc Dimensions in
Health Care. This is accessed through Birmingham City University and has a designated Lecturer
Practitioner who holds a joint appointment with the university and PICU
Experienced critical care nurses from adult backgrounds can access a programme of education and
supported clinical practice. Programmes of study recognise the individuals existing knowledge and
skills whilst equipping nurses to care for the child and family within the paediatric arena. Nurses with
extensive paediatric experience may also be able to access this programme. There is opportunity for
further study through secondment to complete Diploma/Degree in Child Health nursing, to enable
career progression in the Paediatric field.
PICU offers clinical placements for a range of pre and post graduate nursing students. To support
this, the unit encourages nurses to undertake a course/module in supporting students in practice
helping them to develop mentorship and assessment skills and to influence the development of the
future nursing work force.
In additional to the courses and study programmes available for nurse on PICU there are a wide
variety of development opportunities. These include rotational posts to Clinical Development, Family
Liaison and Technical Teams and the opportunity for staff to gain supervised experience in
managing part of the unit or co-ordination the whole unit
Managing a large workforce requires effective leadership. Each Senior Sister is responsible for a
group of nurses. These Support Groups offer an opportunity for taking clinical initiatives forward,
performance management and career guidance, undertaking audit and research with presentation
and attendance at National and International conferences.
There are several posts which support and advance practice developments within PICU. These
include a research nurse and audit nurse who in partnership with medical colleagues co-ordinate
multi-professional research and audit activity. A Clinical Nurse Specialist works closely with nursing
staff to ensure care is evidence-based and delivered in partnership with the child and family and
ensures all staff are supported in clinical practice developments.
An Informatics Charge Nurse provides a cohesive approach to clinical care and Information
Technology. The family liaison nursing team offers emotional, social and practical support to families
during their time on PICU and is able to act as a link to appropriate agencies to ensure their needs
are met. We are continually developing our service and have recently appointed a Lead Nurse for
ECLS.
Support Staff
A technical support team lead by a Senior Operating Department Practitioner(ODP) and a Charge
Nurse carries out technical maintenance work, whilst also supporting clinical transportation of
critically ill Children which is vital to an efficient and effective service. The team of Nurse Technicians
and Health Care Assistants ensure that all the background services are in place to support clinical
activity. Clinical Support Workers (CSW’s) are locally trained to care for a range of high dependency
patients under supervision of qualified nursing staff. Administration staff provides clerical support
and front of house reception duties.
Shifts
Early
= 07:30 – 15:00
Late
= 13:00 – 20:30
Long Day
= 07:30 – 20:30
Night
= 20:00 – 08:00
PICU Nurse Manager
Yvonne Heward - Lead Nurse for Education and Workforce Development
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
Yvonne [email protected]
Paediatric Burns Service
The burns service at The Birmingham Children’s hospital provides care for children and adolescents
who have sustained a burn injury within the west midlands; and then their needs for reconstructive
surgery. The extent of their injury can be a minor burn up to a major burn requiring intensive care.
Whatever the size of the burn there needs to be effective team work within all the health care
professionals involved. Working together, everyone in the team achieves more to provide holistic
and quality care to patients and their families from admission through to discharge.
The burns team consists of 6 burns surgeons, a nursing team, burns lecturer practitioner, play
specialist/family support worker, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietician, pharmacists,
theatre team, intensive care team, pain team, child protection team, social worker, clinical
psychologists, domestic staff plus other health professionals for individual cases. We meet every
Friday as a team and discuss inpatients and any ongoing concerns.
The unit consists of 5 ward beds, a high dependency cubicle, a designated theatre, its own
outpatients and therapy room. The nurses’ work on the ward and within clinic therefore getting all
round skills and knowledge of different aspects of nursing care, from high dependency nursing to
running a busy outpatients clinic. Thus gaining wound care management, surgical and medical
nursing skills.
The nursing team takes every opportunity to expand their knowledge, training and education by
attending study days, courses and national study days and conferences. We have close links with
the lecturer practitioner in Burns and plastics at Birmingham City University and regularly works
shifts on the ward. The staff are enthusiastic, motivated, friendly, flexible, supportive, dynamic and
have a high regard for team work.
As a new member of the nursing team you will have a named preceptor and buddy that will orientate
you to the service, set learning objectives with you, guide and support you through your early
months of practice. Your preceptorship will continue for at least 6 months after that your preceptor
will become your performance manager. You will have a preceptor ship meeting during your first,
third and sixth month of joining the team. You will also have core competencies to complete that will
help you become more familiar with the ward and burns nursing.
For more information please contact Vicki Hibble (Ward Manager) or Clare Thomas (Lead Nurse) on
0121 333 8964/8966
Nutritional Care Nursing Team
The team first started in 1987 and was one of the first Paediatric Nutritional Care teams in the
country. The service was set up due to the increasing amount of children receiving artificial
feeding both in hospital and in the community.
As a supra regional service within Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the specialist nurse team
have a crucial role in the co-ordination of the multi disciplinary care that children and their
families require. They participate in care both on an in-patient and out-patient basis.
The philosophy of the team is to help with the education and support of families requiring
artificial nutrition.
Roles of the nutritional care nursing team
The nutritional care department are responsible for maintaining high standards of care for
patients receiving enteral and parenteral nutrition in the hospital and community.
The department actively work with multi-disciplinary teams within the Hospital, which include
the nutritional care team, headed by gastroenterology consultant and the feeding team,
consisting of clinical psychologist and speech therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian and
nutritional care sister.
Educational booklets, including pictorial training models, for children, parents and health care
professionals continue to be developed.
Weekly educational clinics are available both to nursing and multi-disciplinary staff (Refer to
Clinics overleaf).
Research
The nutritional care team actively undertakes nutritional care research (in-house) and on a
national level. Audits are undertaken to ensure standards of care are maintained.
Training opportunities
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Support all ward staff who are involved with teaching Home Enteral Feeding
Act as a resource for relevant health care professionals, children and families.
Weekly Clinics on Wednesday for training and supervised practice re Nutritional
Care
Please telephone Secretary for appointment – ext 8042
Staff orientation with Nutritional Care – discuss with Nutritional Care Nurses
Information Resource / Discharge planning protocols available
Training for Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN)
Our responsibilities:
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Planning meetings complex for HPN patients. Written referrals required to
multidisciplinary nutritional care team.
Assessment of suitability for Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN)
Initiate Community support network e.g. Respite etc. Training parents with
designated named nurse
Discuss with Business Team re-funding
Organisation of equipment – Home delivery system
Liaison with multi-disciplinary team
Home visits
Review biochemical monitoring nutritional status with Nutritional Care Team
Joint/individualised clinics with multi professionals
Home enteral feeding referrals Nutritional Care (NC)
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Close liaison and support for ward staff and families
Written referrals received
Initial contact made with family
Community Support/arranged and confirmed
Discharge planning
Training needs discussed with Nurse and Family
Funding arranged/contacts made
Equipment Authorised
The team’s roles also include:
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Education of health care professionals, children and families. This involves
internal training at local universities, nationally and at international level.
Chris Holden; Principal Nurse, Nutritional Care Nursing Department
General Dermatology
The Dermatology Day Care department offers the opportunity and encourages nursing staff to
develop a variety of skills in order to provide appropriate treatment for children with skin disorders.
We work closely with the multi-disciplinary team and the primary Care Trusts.
We provide a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient service to children with skin disordersincluding diagnosis, treatment, biopsy, patch-testing, cryotherapy and cosmetic camouflage.
Families are supported by specialist nurses and we work with several National Patient Support
Groups. Together with Great Ormond Street Hospital we run a national service for children with rare
disorder epidermolysis bullosa (“butterfly children”). We teach undergraduates, postgraduates,
nurses and doctors both locally and nationally and have taken part in international trials of new
treatments for eczema. With a particular interest in genetic skin disorders we have provided
diagnostic expertise and clinical material for numerous collaborative studies internationally
Arlene Brown/Sheila Richards CNS Dermatology
Endocrine Specialist Nurses
Paediatric Endocrinology – children’s hormones – covers a wide range of illnesses and disorders,
varying from minor disorders to severe life threatening conditions. The most common disorder seen
in a paediatric endocrine clinic is short stature (Davies, 2004), and NICE estimates that there are 1
in every 20,800 children, or 48 per million children diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency. Even
higher is congenital hypothyroidism – now tested for in every newborn baby in the UK – which is
estimated at 1 in 4000, or 250 per million. (Raine et al, 2006) It is clear that the need for specialist
paediatric endocrine services is extremely important. Most children or young people, with the
assistance of hormone replacement, can maintain a normal, healthy lifestyle.
The Endocrine team at BCH consists of
Consultants
Dr Nick Shaw
Dr Jeremy Kirk
Professor Tim Barrett
Dr Wolfgang Högler
2 SpRs & 1 FY1
Endocrine Nurse Specialists
Angela Casey
Tracey Kirkwood
Secretaries
Kate McBeth
Liz Newey
Dan Settatree
The endocrine nurse team are based on Medical Day Care which is a short stay ward on the ground
floor of the main hospital. We provide specialist nursing skills, knowledge, expertise and support for
children with endocrine conditions and their families and aim to work as fully integrated members of
the multi-disciplinary team caring for the child with specialist endocrine need. We carry out a variety
of clinical investigations as part of the endocrinology team. We provide written and telephone
advice to families of children with endocrine conditions, and community staff involved in their care.
We teach and supervise students who visit Medical Day Care. We train and support children and
families to give essential medications such as growth hormone and hydrocortisone at home.
We administer GnRH agonist implants and testosterone injections and we can train and support
community staff who need to do them. We act as a resource and support for primary healthcare
teams, shared-care centres and multi-disciplinary teams within the hospital. We work with adult
endocrine services to ensure a smooth transition of care from paediatric to adult centres.
Ward 2
Ward Two is a very busy paediatric ward consisting of 19 beds of which 9 are ward beds and 10 are
Medical Assessment Unit beds for patients needing a 48 hour stay. Our aim is to discharge children
as soon as possible as we believe the best place for them is at home.
The children we care for have a wide range of medical conditions such as chest infections, febrile
convulsions, failure to thrive, infectious diseases and skin conditions. In addition we also have
speciality patients for respiratory, neurology, gastro-enterology and inherited metabolic diseases.
The majority of our patients are emergency admissions from the Emergency Department or District
General Hospitals. We do have some booked admissions for the respiratory, neurology,
dermatology inherited metabolic diseases and gastro-enterology.
Ward 2 is part of the Medical Unit which includes Wards 6, 7 and Medical High Dependency.
The dependency of the children on the ward varies enormously however the ward works closely with
the Medical High Dependency Unit.
We believe children have the right to have their parents with them at all times and their privacy and
dignity respected and preserved and, that the environment should be flexible and able to adapt to
different cultural and religious needs.
We work closely with colleagues in all disciplines and acknowledge the importance of
multidisciplinary working to provide the highest standards of care for our children and families.
Newly appointed staff, are allocated a preceptor for orientation and ongoing support. Individual
performance reviews are undertaken with all staff and their development needs are identified and
proactively encouraged to be met.
There are numerous opportunities for professional development within the Medical Unit and the
Trust.
Student nurses are fully supported during their allocation and the ward has developed a student's
charter in recognition of their specific needs.
The Medical Unit actively encourages staff working within its wards, to share practice and work in
each other's areas, to enhance their experience and development.
Helen McDonald
Ward Two manager
Telephone: 0121 333 9009
Ward Three
Ward 3 is a tier 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health unit offering ten beds. Referrals are
generated from Paediatric Consultants within the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, other Children’s
Hospitals around the country, and from Community Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists who do not
have inpatient bed availability. Occasionally, referrals are received from Adult Psychiatrists to whom
children have been referred. Referrals are often from beyond the West Midlands region.
Ward 3 is one Part of a comprehensive CAMHS service managed By Birmingham Children’s NHS
Foundation Trust offering a total of 44 beds across 4 units and community services covering the
City.
Ward 3 provides a regional service to the West Midlands meeting the needs of all young people
under the age of 12 and up to the age of 16 for Neuropsychiatric referrals.
The range of therapeutic activities is very varied with the mainstay of therapeutic activity being the
‘Therapeutic Milieu’ augmented by a range of weekly group activities which include; Art, social skills
and relaxation. Ward 3 has a very well established link Nurse role with T4 Speech and Language
services and is currently developing an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) friendly Model of practice.
The ward operates on a team nursing basis, with each patient allocated a Named Nurse and an
individual worker from within the nursing team. The unit is committed to developing nurses'
therapeutic skills and offers exciting developmental opportunities to nurses practicing on different
parts of the register.
The ward uses a three shift system, coving early, late and night shift but do occasionally use a
twilight if the service demands.
Any person who joins the team takes part in a preceptorship package to accommodate their
immediate developmental needs, particularly as inpatient CAMHS is so different to most peoples’
prior experience. Professional development reviews occur on an annual basis when individualized
development plans are developed.
Peter Hodgkinson: Ward Manager
Neonatal Surgical Ward
The Neonatal Surgical Ward is a 15 bedded neonatal and infant surgical unit. We care for babies
from birth to three months, requiring surgery in the neonatal periods for a wide variety of congenital
problems and problems associated with prematurity. We provide care for babies requiring general
surgery, genito-urinary, hepatobiliary, orthopaedic, ophthalmic, ENT, plastics and neuro surgery. We
have close links with the Nutritional Care Team as many babies require nutritional support after their
surgery.
Babies requiring ventilatory support post-operatively are nursed on the intensive care unit prior to
transferring back to us.
We aim to provide family centred care, supporting and encouraging parents to participate in their
baby's care from the earliest opportunity. Newly delivered mothers need staff knowledgeable in
breast feeding and bonding and parents are taught a range of skills including stoma care, tube
feeding and suction.
Effective discharge planning is of prime importance. We have close links with community services.
Each baby has a named nurse responsible for identifying care needs and co-ordinating services.
Care plans are presently based upon the Roper and Orem models of nursing.
We aim to provide a supportive learning environment for all students and many choose to return for
their elective. Students also have a mentorship programme throughout their ward experience.
Trained staff are actively encouraged to keep themselves professionally and clinically updated.
Opportunities are available for registered children's nurses to undertake the B.Sc Neonatal High
Dependency and Intensive Care Award.. A well established preceptorship programme is in
operation for all new members of staff and for those whose role changes due to promotion.
Opportunities abound for staff wishing to extend their scope of professional practice and develop a
range of intensive nursing skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Bernadette Reda/ Jan Gardner
Ward Managers
Ward Five & SAU
Ward 5 is a 14 bedded ward that cares for children and adolescents of all ages who have been
involved in some form of accident/injury or those who require elective surgery. The elective surgical
specialties that we care for are orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, spinal surgery, ear nose and
throat surgery, and maxio-facial surgery. The length of stay varies from one day to several weeks.
The surgical assessment unit is a 4 bedded unit that assesses whether a child requires surgery.
The children are nursed in the assessment unit for 24 hours and are then transferred to ward 5 or
another ward within the hospital if an extended hospital stay is required.
Ward 5 and the surgical assessment unit offers a varied nursing experience and range of nursing
dependency. The ward can be very busy at times, providing a challenging nursing experience.
All children have a Named Nurse throughout their stay. We believe that a multi-disciplinary approach
to care is vital and work very closely with doctors, physiotherapists, speech and occupational
therapists, school teachers, play therapists, psychologists and colleagues from other disciplines.
Family centred care is a high priority to us on Ward 5, so we work in an informal, friendly
atmosphere and offer a range of facilities for our parents and families. We strive to involve children
and our parents in decisions about their care and actively encourage and support them to be directly
involved in care.
We are a well motivated team and actively encourage the professional development of all staff with
performance management, development work groups and teaching. All staff have an allocated
preceptor for ongoing support. We are always looking for new opportunities to extend our knowledge
and reflect upon our practice.
We take pre and post-registration students and students, who will always be allocated a mentor and
assessor for their placement on ward 5 and the surgical assessment unit.
Yvonne Reed
Ward Manager
Lucy Collins
Junior Sister/Educational Practitioner
Ward Six
Ward Six is a busy paediatric ward, which cares for children between the ages of 0-7. The
children we care for suffer from a wide range of medical conditions such as chest infections,
febrile convulsions, failure to thrive, infectious diseases and skin conditions. We also have
some speciality patients for respiratory, neurology, gastro-enterology and inherited metabolic
disorders.
The majority of our patients are emergency admissions from accident and emergency or
district general hospitals. We do occasionally have booked admissions for the respiratory and
gastro teams. The dependency of the children varies enormously, but we mostly care for very
sick children and babies.
We believe that children have the right to have their parents with them at all times and their
privacy and dignity respected and preserved. We believe the environment should be flexible
and able to adapt to different cultural and religious needs. There are schooling and play
facilities, which are easily accessed for those children able to do so. We try to make it as
comfortable as possible for parents that stay with their children.
We work closely with colleagues in all disciplines and acknowledge the importance of multidisciplinary working to provide the highest standards of care for our children and their
families. We value skills that parents have learned and encourage them to continue to
provide that care.
Newly appointed staffs are allocated a preceptor for orientation and ongoing support.
Professional development for all staff is actively encouraged and everyone has equal
opportunity to develop themselves. Performance review is directed to individual needs.
We have a well-established mentorship programme for student nurses allocated to our ward.
We support pre and post registration, diploma and degree courses. We aim to provide
support and teaching on a formal and informal basis and directed to individual learning
needs.
Ros Timmins
Ward Manager
Ward Seven
Adolescent Medical Ward.
Ward 7 is a busy medical ward with 13 beds. We have 9 cubicles & a 4 bedded bay. We
predominantly care for the adolescent patients who require medical treatment.
Our client group is varied and we care for a range of specialities including, Respiratory,
Gastroenterology, Endocrine, Complex Care, Neurology, and General Paediatrics.
We liaise very closely with the other medical areas. There are numerous teaching opportunities and
a vast array of skills that the team use. These include tracheotomy care, discharge planning for
complex care, enteral feeding, rehabilitation and general adolescent care.
We aim to promote independence amongst our teenage patients in order to try & prepare them for
the transition into adult services. We frequently deal with patients who need additional emotional
support as you would expect from teenagers who have chronic illnesses.
The team work a mix of long days & short shifts dependant upon personal preference and ward
needs. All staff rotate onto night shifts every month.
Ward 7 has a team of junior sisters who have their own group of staff nurses that they are
responsible for developing. They are the staff responsible for completing performance reviews.
If you wish to visit ward 7 or have further queries please do not hesitate to contact the ward.
Rachel Evitts
Ward 7 Manager.
0121 333 9056.
Ward Eight
Ward 8 is the in-patient facility of the Paediatric Hepatolgy and Liver and Bowel Transplant (Liver
Unit) at BCH. The Unit is designated as a supra-regional centre for the management of children
with liver disease and acute liver failure - one of only 3 such units in the country. It provides liver
and small bowel disease diagnosis and transplantation and management of metabolic liver
disease.
Ward 8 has 13 beds for liver disease and transplantation.. Treatment in this specialty is evolving
and changing, especially in the area Intestinal transplantation. The medical teams are led by 5
Paediatric Hepatologists and 2 Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgeon . Other team members in
addition to the ward nurses are Research Fellows and Clinical Registrars, Senior House Officers,
Trust doctors, Dieticians, Play Therapist, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Specialist Nurses and
nurses experienced in caring for children with these conditions. We work together as a multidisciplinary team respecting the particular contributions of each member of the team.
The work encompasses all aspects of total nursing management under the framework of
our Partnership Model of Nursing and Primary Nursing. It is an exciting field of work that
presents many challenges. Nurses are supported by senior members of staff to help them
develop the necessary skills using a preceptorship programme and support of clinical
educator.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM PHILOSOPHY
The multi-disciplinary team caring for the child on Ward Eight considers the individual needs of
each child of paramount importance. Each child is cared for by a Primary Nurse or in their
absence, an Associate Nurse, in a warm and friendly environment. Our aim is to meet the child's
physical, psychological, cultural and spiritual needs, recognising the need for privacy for each
individual.
The child and the family/carers are the focus of care and we believe that the maintenance of the
family unit is essential. We actively encourage the parents and children to participate in care, to the
extent that they are able or wish to do so. The child and family are provided with appropriate
information in relation to the child’s disease and treatment, and the child’s views taken into
account.
The child’s Primary Nurse is responsible for the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of
nursing care from admission to discharge and parents are regarded as equal partners in
contributing to decision to be made in the child’s management and care. Parents are supported
and assisted in nursing their child back to an optimum state of health, or in some circumstances
aiding their child to meet a peaceful and dignified death.
Professional education is offered to all our staff through the Personal Development Review
process and the potential for accessing various course in the Trust or at Birmingham City
University where a Hepatology and Transplant Care Course is offered at level 6 and can form the
route to an Gastroenterology/Hepatology Odinary Degree under the Learning Beyond Registration
Framework
All staff - ancillary, paramedical, nursing and medical - are our most valuable resource. We work in
a collaborative co-operative manner recognising and respecting the particular contributions of each
member of the Unit. Interested? Come and visit us to see the work we do. Informal visits are very
welcome.
Carien Weijers
Ward Manager
Ward Nine
Ward 9 is a 19 bedded paediatric surgical ward caring for children age 2 months to 16 years of age,
admitted for both elective and emergency procedures. Our children are local and from further afield
and can be short or long stay.
We specialise in gastro-intestinal, thoracic, plastic, orthopaedic, some hepatic and maxilla facial
surgery.
The ward is committed to family centred care and our team aim is to make each child and family
have the least traumatic and best hospital experience possible. Our vision is:
‘To provide the best quality evidence based care in a positive and friendly environment.’
Our organisation of care is team nursing, with the involvement of the family and the multidisciplinary
team, in which good communication is the key. Confident, happy staff can increase performance
and standards and ultimately provide patients with the best care available.
We take all levels of students on the ward, both pre and post registration and actively promote a
positive learning environment.
New staff are supported by a preceptorship programme and have a supernumerary period with a
local and trust induction. We have a commitment to professional development through the personal
development review process. Staff can develop and extend their practice and skills though trust and
external sources, for example central lines and mentorship. All staff has a senior staff member as a
performance manager and a peer mentor.
The ward manager is the line manager for all ward staff with the directorate head of nursing being
the next tier of management.
We have a self roster system for off duty, and our shifts are:
Early 7.30-15.00
Late 13.30-21.00
Night 20.30-08.00
Staff may choose to do long days or a mixture of shifts. All staff has to do night shifts and weekends.
Please contact the ward if you would like to visit us or have any questions.
Julie Cossey
Ward Manager
Tel 0121 333 9087
Fax 0121 333 9088
Ward Ten
Ward 10 is a busy Neuroscience ward with facilities to care for 15 children up to the age of 16.
As a regional centre our service is primarily dedicated to the surgical management of the
neuroscience child however it also offers diverse treatment and assessment of neurologically
impaired patient to include:
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Surgical procedures for hydrodrocephalus, brain tumours, epilepsy etc.
Video telemetrey
Acute rehabilitation for children who have sustained traumatic/acquired brain injury
Supra-regional centre for Craniofacial conditions.
Baclofen implants for children with cerebral palsy
Tracheostomies
Rehabilitation for a Long Term Ventilated child with a spinal injury
We work in partnership with the multiprofessional team to promote family centred care encouraging
the children and their families to fully participate in their plan of care.
As a unit we believe that we are progressive and forward thinking, endorsing staff to maximise their
own potential in all areas of personal and professional development.
A comprehensive induction and preceptorship programme is available to all new team members and
we fully support staff to undertake learning opportunities encourage both within and external to the
Trust.
Ward 10 can be an exceptionally busy unit but rewarding environment and would appeal to
someone who embraces challenge.
Many patients have high dependency and complex needs, which require expertise to interpret the
physiological changes of illness and injury. An enquiring mind, initiative and the ability to self-direct
are qualities we look for in new staff.
Effective communication skills are essential when working as part of a multiprofesional team and an
interest in teaching and education complements an environment that fosters the development of
diploma, degree and post registration learners who are allocated to the area.
We welcome informal visits for individuals interested in the opportunities Ward 10 can offer.
Ward Eleven
Ward 11 is part of an internationally recognized cardiac centre. It is a busy unit caring for neonates,
infants and toddlers with cardiac defects. We also accommodate infants requiring tracheostomies
and/or respiratory support.
We accept babies with a variety of cardiac problems, both congenital and acquired, simple to very
complex. In fact we are one of the few centres in the UK treating children with Hypoplastic left heart
syndrome therefore admitting babies from all areas of Britain, Ireland and parts of Europe.
Within the ward is a four bedded high dependency unit which enables our nursing staff to expand
their skills and become experienced in the care of very sick infants.
To achieve this we offer excellent educational opportunities including a recognized high dependency
qualification and in-house study days.
We offer continuous support by means of a preceptor/mentorship programme. All new members of
the team have a local induction package and work very closely with their preceptor for the first
month initially with supernumerary status.
We are flexible in our management style allowing our nursing staff work a variety of shifts to
accommodate both service and personal needs.
All nursing staff are required to work a shift pattern to cover a 24 hour service.
We have a holistic approach to our nursing care and believe that support, information and help for
our families is an integral part of our service. To achieve this we work closely with our cardiac liaison
team and social worker.
Jackie Clinton/ Edna Reid
Ward 11 managers
01213339112
Ward Twelve
Ward 12 is a busy 16 bedded cardiac ward.
We care for children ranging from 3 months to 16 years with a variety of cardiac abnormalities.
Our case load varies from those requiring medical intervention and cardiac catheters to those
requiring complex cardiac surgery.
We also care for children with tracheostomies who require long term ventilation.
We have a two bedded high dependency unit and a four bedded catheter bay.
We offer a structured four week supernumerary period with a competency based development
programme, and are committed to the developing staff both personally and professionally.
Our shift patterns are;
Early
Late
Long day
Nights
Karen Byrne
Ward Manager
0121-333 9117
0730-1500
1300-2030
0730-2030
2000-0800
Ward Fourteen
Ward 14 is the Nephro-Urology Ward. It has 10 beds and accepts children with a wide range of
conditions, including acute renal failure, urology surgery, renal transplantation and children with
chronic renal failure who require peritoneal dialysis. It is a regional referral centre for children in end
stage renal failure. Some of the care on Ward 14 relates to children with chronic conditions who
require long-term physical, psychological and social support. This enables nurses to develop longterm relationships with this client group. The other side to Ward 14 is acute surgical care.
Our team includes:
A Ward Manager
F grade Junior Sisters/Charge Nurses, Staff Nurses
Play Specialists/Play Workers
Clinical Support Workers
Paediatric Urologists
Paediatric Nephrologists,
The nursing philosophy is in keeping with the Hospital’s being child and family orientated. Named
nursing is practiced and families are empowered to negotiate their care needs on an individual
basis.
The Ward is a placement area for the national Paediatric Nephro-Urology Course and nurses are
regularly seconded onto the Course.
Ward Manager
The Heart Unit Outpatients
The Heart Unit Outpatients is situated on the 2nd floor separate to the Main Outpatients Department
and forms part of the whole Cardiac Unit incorporating Wards 11 and 12 along with the Heart
Investigations Unit.
We provide a service for children with a variety of Congenital Cardiac Abnormalities from 0-16 years
of age and see approximately 10,000 children per year. We offer a range of facilities including ECG,
Echocardiograms, Exercise Test ECG’s and certain drug trials.
Our nursing philosophy also follows that of the Trusts, and we encourage family centred care. Staff
are provided with continuing education and training.
As part of the Cardiac Unit’s Philosophy staff are encouraged to spend time in the Heart Unit from
wards 11 and 12 as part of their induction. Students also spend time working alongside the nurses
and doctors as part of their Cardiac orientation.
Also held in the Cardiac Unit are Nurse Led clinic run by both the Advanced Nurse Practitioner for
Cardiology and the clinic nurses where patients are seen for a variety of reasons in between hospital
appointments.
Also situated in the Cardiac Unit is the Cardiac Family Support Team, which includes Cardiac
Liaison sisters, Social Worker and Child Psychologist this invaluable service provides support and
advice for all families of patients diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects.
We hold clinics every day and the hours of work are Monday to Friday 9.00 hrs – 17.00hrs.
Medical High Dependency Unit
The High Dependency unit is a new area within the Medical directorate; it has been open since
December 2006. The unit is located on ward six, has 4 beds and cares for children between the
ages of 0-16. The children we care for suffer from a wide range of medical conditions. We also
provide specialist care for children with, respiratory, neurology, gastro-enterology, endocrine,
dermatology and inherited metabolic disorders.
The majority of our patients are emergency admissions from accident and emergency, we also
take children from Intensive care or the other ward areas in the Medical Unit. The children are the
sickest children within the medical wards and require a greater amount of nursing and medical
input.
The unit has 2 nurses on duty on all shifts; they look after 2 patients each. The shift patterns are
Early, 0:730- 15:00, Late 13:00-20:30, Night 20:00-08:00. Our operational policy endorses the
safety of the patients; it also makes recommendations for staff movement if the unit is quiet.
We believe that children have the right to have their parents with them at all times and their
privacy and dignity respected and preserved. We believe the environment should be flexible and
able to adapt to different cultural and religious needs. There are schooling and play facilities,
which are easily accessed for those children able to do so, as occasionally children may have a
delay being moved out of the unit We try to make it as comfortable as possible for parents that
stay with their children.
We work closely with colleagues in all disciplines and acknowledge the importance of multidisciplinary working to provide the highest standards of care for our children and their families.
We value skills that parents have learned and encourage them to continue to provide that care.
Newly appointed staffs are allocated a preceptor for orientation and ongoing support. All new
starters must attend the trust induction day they will also be allowed a supernummary
Period while they adapt to the working environment
Professional development for all staff is actively encouraged and everyone has an equal
opportunity to develop themselves. Competency booklets and the newly qualified nurse
programme, if required lead to performance review which is directed to individual needs.
We have a well-established mentorship programme for student nurses allocated to our ward. We
support pre and post registration, diploma and degree courses. We aim to provide support and
teaching on a formal and informal basis and directed to individual learning needs.
Michelle Plaza Senior Clinical Sister. Ext 9047
The Irwin Unit
The Irwin Unit based at Parkview Clinic, is the largest of the four inpatient CAMHS units in the Trust.
There are 14 beds available for older adolescents (aged 14 – 16) with severe mental health and
emotional difficulties. It is a generic ward that admits young men and women.
Many of the young people who are admitted here stay for several months as often; their difficulties
are complex and multiple. Frequently their lives have been disrupted in a major way and need a
great deal of therapeutic intervention, containment and rehabilitation.
Admissions will include young people with eating disorders, psychotic illnesses, depression, anxiety,
obsessive compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress. Self harm is a common issue as a way
of expressing high emotion.
On Irwin the young people are encouraged to become more independent and take to responsibility
for aspects of their life. This is done in a safe and consistent way with an emphasis on the
importance of therapeutic relationships.
The unit team is multi-disciplinary and works together in the assessment, planning, implementation
and evaluation of care. Groupwork and individual therapy is part of most young people’s
programmes as is attendance in the Family Therapy Clinic; a service created and staffed with Irwin
team members.
The young people usually attend the James Brindley School on-site and where possible have time
at home during the weekend. The team works closely with the families and professionals from
referring community teams.
The nursing team works in rotation across 7 days a week day and night. The shifts are 0700 –
1500, 1230 – 2030, 1500 – 2300 and 1945 – 0710; of which all staff members take part.
Dan O’Mara
Ward Manager
243 2008
Dr David Rothery (Consultant Psychiatrist)
243 2015
Kay Insley
Clinical Nurse Specialist/Liaison Nurse
243 2000
Ashfield Unit
The Ashfield Unit is an inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health unit based at the Parkview
Clinic in Moseley, Birmingham. The unit is a purpose built eight-bedded adolescent unit for young
people between the ages of 13 and 16. The beds aim to function as short stay admission beds
while one bed is part of a designated intensive nursing area, and can accommodate one young
person with higher levels of dependency.
The Ashfield unit is one part of a comprehensive CAMHS service managed by Birmingham
Children’s NHS Foundation Trust offering a total of 44 beds across 4 units and community services
covering the City.
The Ashfield unit provides a regional service to the West Midlands meeting the needs of
adolescents who present with significant mental health difficulties and related high levels of risk.
The unit offers a range of therapeutic interventions, on both an individual and group basis. The
therapeutic programme is supported and developed by nursing staff together with an Occupational
Therapist. Interventions offered include coping and life skills groups and individual work relevant to
the young person’s difficulties, such as managing self harm or hallucinations. The unit is also able to
provide Behavioural Family Therapy.
The ward operates on a team nursing basis, with each patient allocated a Named Nurse and an
individual worker from within the nursing team. The unit is committed to developing nurses'
therapeutic skills and offers exciting developmental opportunities to nurses practicing on different
parts of the register.
Nursing staff mainly work combinations of early, late and night shifts but do occasionally work
twilight shifts if the service requires it. The unit provides a 24 hour, 7 day a week service and staff
are expected to work a mixture of all shifts.
The shift times are;
Early – 7am to 3pm
Late – 12.30pm to 8.30pm.
Twilight – 3pm/4pm to 11pm/midnight
Night – 7.45pm to 7.10am
Any person who joins the team will be allocated an experienced member of staff to act as their
preceptor and will undertake a preceptorship package to assist them in meeting their immediate
development needs, with a particular emphasis on issues relevant to working within inpatient
CAMHS. Professional development reviews occur on an annual basis when individualised
development plans are developed.
Contact Details – Acting Ward Manager Jerry Reeves – 0121 243 2020
The Heathlands Unit
The Heathlands Unit is based at Parkview Clinic and provides 12 inpatient beds for young
people aged primarily between 12 and 14 years with complex and severe mental health
difficulties.
The Heathlands Unit cares for young people who may be experiencing a wide range of
mental health difficulties. These difficulties often have a significant impact on the young
person’s ability to function in their day to day lives and we therefore help them to address
any concerns they may have by supporting them and their loved ones in a structured and
nurturing environment.
The Heathlands Unit admits young people with a range of problems including depression,
eating disorders, psychosis, autistic spectrum disorders, post traumatic stress, self harm,
obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety and challenging behaviour. We encourage the
young people on the unit to address their issues through group work, individual therapy,
social activities and health promotion. The young people are encouraged to assume
responsibility for aspects of their life to help them to achieve greater independence and
stability.
At the heart of our unit is the belief that the therapeutic relationship between a young person
and a clinician is our greatest priority. We therefore have an experienced multi disciplinary
team who work very closely together to help our young people to achieve their optimal level
of mental health. The team includes nurses, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists,
family therapists, social workers, advocates and teachers.
The nursing team works in rotation and all nursing staff are expected to work a combination
of shifts across the week. These shifts are:
Early – 07.00 to 15.00
Late – 12.30 to 20.30
Twilight – 15.00/16.00 to 23.00/00.00
Night – 19.45 to 07.10
All nursing staff are given a local induction when they join the team, followed by a 6 month
preceptorship by a senior member of staff. All nursing staff are expected to attend regular
clinical supervision and attend group supervision sessions. Personal and professional
development is supported through the Trust’s PDR process.
Paul Smith
Ward Manager
0121 243 2006
Liver Unit Specialist Nurse Team
The Liver Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital is one of three centres designated by the
Department of Health for assessment and management of paediatric liver disease including liver
transplantation. We are also the only centre in the United Kingdom designated to provide
assessment for and provision of intestinal transplant.
As a supra regional service within Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the specialist nurse team have a
crucial role in the co-ordination of the multi disciplinary care that children and their families receive at
the Liver Unit. They participate in care both on an in-patient and out-patient basis.
The philosophy of the team is to maximise the child and family’s quality of life through empowerment
with information and provide the necessary skills to give safe care at home. This enables the child
and family to become more equal partners in the team.
The team is led by the Principle Specialist Nurse (Hepatology and Transplantation) who is
responsible for the development of the teams practice.
The team roles are:

To assess and meet the information needs of children of all ages and their families. This is
delivered through a framework of practise called “Helping children and their families to be
involved with choices of treatment” established within the multidisciplinary team. It starts from the
point of referral and continues through the patient’s care in the Liver Unit. (Framework document
available.) This involves supporting the breaking of bad news and the bereavement process.

To assess carer’s ability to give care related to treatments, and then ensure they are trained to
give the care needed at home for their child. This is done in conjunction with ward nursing team
and other agencies in the trust according to the Trust Discharge, Self Medication, Blood Glucose
Estimation and Nutritional Care Policies.

To assess the vaccination needs of patients, particularly patients with chronic liver disease, and
in preparation for transplant and afterwards. Subsequently ensure that the plan is facilitated. This
is done in line with The Liver Unit’s Vaccination Policy.

To notify and build on networks of care and support within the children’s own primary health care
and shared care teams so that discharge is planned, coordinated and families understand
communication channels particularly Liver Direct.

To facilitate the process of transition to adult care by acting as key workers within the multi
disciplinary care offered to this group of patients.

To act as a resource for nursing and general management advice for all our children throughout
the country. Generally this is achieved by telephone advice on Liver Direct.

To be involved in education of health care professionals internally, in local universities, nationally
and at an international level.

To run a nurse led telephone consultation service called Liver Direct for two sessions a day.
(Guidance document available).

To participate in the out reach clinics to other cities in the United Kingdom along with Consultant
Paediatric Hepatologist as part of a rota within the team.

To co-ordinate the management of immunosuppression for liver unit patients including liaison
with Pharmacy for home delivery of medication as part of a rota within the team. This involves
attending consultant outpatient review meetings. (Guidance document available).

To take part in nursing related basic research, audit and be aware of clinical governance issues
and to support this activity in the wider liver unit team.
The team have regular weekly team meetings and longer occasional meetings to discuss
developments. Time for clinical supervision is provided monthly.
Diabetes Home Care (DHC)
Established in 1981 by Dr. Paul Rayner, the aim of the service was to improve the care of the 250
children who attended his diabetic clinic. The service provides hospital and home support to the
children and their families, establishing liaison between the two.
The DHC team consists of
Consultants
Dr Nick Shaw
Dr Jeremy Kirk
Professor Tim Barrett
Dr Wolfgang Höglar
2 Registrars
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Emma Day – CNS & Diabetes Home Care Coordinator
Lorraine Shaw – CNS & Diabetes Course Coordinator
Diabetes Liaison Nurses
Kirsty Mobberley
Hayley Weekes
Susan Gleeson
Diabetes Dietitians
Hazel Riggall
Kathy Beck
Administrator
Lesley Porter
Call us on:
0121 333 9267
[email protected]
Philosophy of care:
This hospital based, community orientated service for children with diabetes, their families and
carers, is based on the ground floor of the hospital.
The initial treatment of the newly diagnosed children continues to be carried out either in hospital or
at home, depending on the severity of the illness at diagnosis, the family situation and social
circumstances.
In addition the Diabetes Home Care team provides continuing advice and education to 350 children
with established diabetes and their families, helping them to manage at home during periods of
illness or poor control. This is provided via a 24 hour a day 365 days nurse led on call service.
Education and Research:
Diabetes Home Care is recognised as a centre of excellence and it’s staff are frequently invited to
lecture to other professional groups and to contribute to journals. Since the DHC team was
established, they have been involved in a number of research projects. DHC have established the
accredited ‘Management of Childhood Diabetes Course’ for qualified nurses and dietitians. DHC
also run regular ward nurse updates which can be booked directly by emailing
[email protected]