Extended paediatrics: acute care in children's homes

The Extended Paediatric Service was established in 1996 to provide acute care services to children in their homes with the aim of reducing the number of hospital admissions for children and shortening hospital stays while maintaining continuity of care. Extended Paediatrics builds on, and extends, the principles of Discharge Liaison and Hospital In The Home programmes. The service is staffed by nurses who also work within the paediatric ward of the Launceston General Hospital, providing a high degree of continuity of care for these children. Children are admitted to the service through consultation between medical staff, nursing staff and the child's family. Between August 1996 and December 1999 a total of over 1200 visits to 48 children have been made for various treatments, for tests, education or follow up. Improved outcomes for children and their families have been reported by both staff and parents as a result of the service.