December 29, 2021 7.30 pm This story is over 27 months old

Children to be treated at home rather than in hospital in new Grimsby trial

Hospitals brace themselves for a rise in coronavirus patients
| Photo: Flynt / Dreamstime

Poorly children with some illnesses are receiving treatment at home rather than at Grimsby hospital in a new trial.

The Hospital At Home scheme sees nurses visiting the children at their home. It is hoped that it will be less stressful for both the young patients and their families.

Bronchiolitis, asthma, croup, gastroenteritis and diarrhoea and vomiting are among the illnesses where children may benefit from returning home quickly.

Children who are eligible for the scheme will be discharged from hospital, and their family will be contacted to arrange a home appointment within two hours.

Visiting nurses will carry out a full assessment and record pulse rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation level, temperature and blood pressure.

It comes as Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s hospitals brace themselves for a rise in coronavirus patients over the winter.

Julie Hamill, advanced paediatric nurse practitioner, said: “One of the reasons for setting up this service is in response to the current respiratory surge we are experiencing.

“We are seeing lots of referrals so the aim of the pilot is to provide a service that can assess and monitor a child during an acute phase of illness in their own home, while providing support and education to the family.

“This is the first time we have done something like this in the trust. It takes the stress off the child and also helps educate the parents about managing their child’s illness now and in the future.

“It is hoped it will also reduce our inpatient admission rate. If it’s successful, it will be rolled out in other areas too.”

The trial will run until the end of March 2022.

The scheme is currently taking referrals from Emergency Department, the Paediatric Assessment Unit and Rainforest Ward at Grimsby hospital.

The service is available from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 6pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays (excluding Christmas and New Year’s Day during the pilot).