Community Children’s Nursing Service (CCNS) which includes:
Child Development Centre (CDC)
Health Visitor Liaison Service (HVLS)
Special School Nurses (SSN)
The teams provide the following services:
- Specialist Nursing Care for children who have acute health problems, usually on a short term basis. Care may include: wound care dressings, injections, infusions, and care during home traction, enemas, eye drops etc. This care may be given at their home, school or the Gem Centre, as appropriate.
- Specialist Nursing Care for children who have chronic health problems and / or disabilities, who often remain with the service on a long-term basis. These children are supported in schools, respite centres and home. Nursing care may include assessing care needs and providing nursing/ medical equipment such as suction machines, feeding pumps, syringes etc. Specialist advice and support is available for children who have chronic conditions such as epilepsy, constipation, respiratory problems etc.
- Provision of feeds and medicines via a naso gastric or gastrostomy tube. This care is for children who are dependent upon technology and is provided to enable them to access nurseries, schools, the Child Development Centre and Stow Heath Respite Centre. Special school nurses are available in three special schools.
- Bereavement support and confidential counselling is available for both children and parents of children with palliative care needs.
- Assessment and management of incontinence and treatment and/ or provision of continence aids.
- A discharge planning and liaison service provides a link between hospital and home to ensure all professionals are informed of children’s health concerns and issues.
- A clinical suite (outpatient department) for children is available at the Gem Centre. Community children’s nurses provide support to consultant clinics and hold nurse-led clinics. Other nursing care includes giving immunisations, taking blood and other samples, conducting nursing assessments, giving advice and carrying out treatments such as wound dressings etc.
How to access this service
Open referrals to the service are accepted from any professionals or from parents. Each referral will be assessed to see if it is suitable and can be accepted. (‘Open referrals’ means we accept referrals not only from professionals, but also from the parents/carers of the patients).
Referrals to the service are usually made via any health professional e.g. Consultant, Hospital or community nurses, GP, or via school or social care services.
Referral can be by letter to the Gem Centre Bentley Bridge, Wednesfield, or by calling 01902 444700.
Details of the referral criteria/process
Children who either reside in the Wolverhampton Borough or have a Wolverhampton GP.
Age birth - 16, or up to the age of 18 if still at school
Children who require advice, support or nursing care for a health problem.
Locations where the service is provided
The Child Development Centre and the Community Children’s Nursing Service - The Gem Centre, Bentley Bridge, Wednesfield
Health Visitor Liaison Service - New Cross Hospital
Special School Nurses attend Special Schools, Broadmeadow, Green Park and Penn Hall.
Contact details
The Gem Centre
Bentley Bridge Business Park
Neachells Lane
Wednesfield
Wolverhampton
WV11 3UP
Telephone 01902 444700
When is the service available?
The service is available 8.30am - 5pm, Monday-Friday
