The Children’s Community Nursing (CCN) team comprises of experienced registered nurses, all of whom have a wealth of experience with children and young people.  They have access to complete the Community Children’s Specialist Practitioner degree and the Non-Medical Prescribing certificate, in order to ensure care is delivered to the highest standards. Supporting the registered nurses are health care assistants and a team administrator. The team works very closely with Paediatric Specialist Nursing Teams   within ELHT and the local tertiary centres such as The Central Manchester Children’s Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The CCN team aims to prevent admission and readmission, facilitate early discharge and promote the health and wellbeing of the acutely unwell child and their families through interventions, treatment, education and support. Each child or young person is allocated a Children’s Community Nurse who will work closely with them and all other relevant professionals involved with the child or young person to oversee the planning and delivery of care and its evaluation. Holistic care is delivered by all members of the team dependant on the requirements.

All our staff have enhanced DBS checks at recruitment and registered nurses work within the scope of their own professional practice outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

What do we do?

  • We carry out assessments and deliver treatment plans either in the home or in a clinic setting.
  • We agree and set joint plans of care with children and their families.
  • We provide specialist advice and support for families and carers.
  • We provide specialist training and education for children, parents and carers.
  • We work closely with our partner services in Health, Education and Social Care, contributing our expert knowledge.

Who can refer to us?

  • Acute paediatric services at ELHT
  • Children’s outpatient clinics at ELHT
  • Paediatric tertiary centres under the shared care of a ELHT Paediatrician
  • General Practitioners within East Lancashire CCG and Blackburn with Darwen CCG

Once the team has received a referral they will make contactwith the family to discuss the referral and what is required. If appropriate telephone advice and support may be given to the family. If a visit is required the location and the time frame will be made on an individual family basis. Some children may only require one episode of care whilst other may require many episodes. 

Service hours

The CCN team are available from 8am - 10pm, seven days a week (except on Bank Holidays, when working hours are 8am - 6pm).

General enquiries

Paula Beech, Team Leader
Doctors Residence
Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital
Haslingden Road
Blackburn
BB2 3HH

Telephone: 01254 732843
Email: childrenscommunityteam@elht.nhs.uk