What is Shared Care?
Your child will have all their main treatments at Manchester and be looked after by the specialist doctors there. However if your child develops a high temperature or you are worried about them you will be able to bring them to the Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU) at Blackpool Victoria Hospital (BVH) to be seen.
There is a Shared Care Team at Blackpool’s Children’s Unit that meets once a month to discuss all the children who live in the Blackpool area who are being treated for cancer at Manchester. The Shared Care Team help to lead our service, educate and inform all the team working on the Children’s Ward at BVH. One of the Nurses from Manchester attends these meetings and will be very familiar with your child, keeping us informed on everything we need to know to help your child. We work very closely with all the team at Manchester to make sure your child receives the best possible care.
The Shared Care Team consists of Consultant Paediatricians, Lead Nurse from the Children’s Ward, Practice Development Sisters for the Children’s Unit, Children’s Community Nursing Team, Paediatric Oncology Link Nurses from the Children’s Ward, a Patient Experience Officer, Hospital Play Specialists and the Macmillan Nurse from Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Febrile Neutropenia Febrile Neutropenia can occur during your child’s course of chemotherapy and can sometimes be due to serious infections. The low number of infection fighting cells caused by the chemotherapy, together with a fever, is treated as a priority. If your child develops a temperature of more than 38°C then they will need to go to hospital. All we ask is that you telephone us first so we are aware and can prepare for your arrival.
CAU: 01253 953778 (Open 24 Hours) Children’s Ward: 01253 953437 (Open 24 Hours)
If found to have a high temperature, bloods will be taken and medications administered via your child’s Hickman line or Port-a-Cath. If your child doesn’t have venous access, a cannula will be inserted for this purpose.
A Doctor will see your child and after speaking with the Doctors at Manchester, make a plan of care. It may be that we treat your child’s immediate health needs such as treating a temperature and commencing antibiotics. If supportive care such as a blood or platelet transfusion is needed we will admit your child to the Children’s Ward.
If you are admitted to the Children’s Ward you will be able to stay with your child. You will have your own cubicle which has an en-suite toilet with shower room. We have a Parent’s Area where you can go for a break from the busy ward. It has tea and coffee making facilities and a microwave and fridge. We also have a restaurant a short distance away from the ward.
Car Parking
Parents are eligible for free car parking while an inpatient, please speak to the nurse in charge.
Visiting
We have an open visiting policy for parents and siblings. For other relatives and friends visiting time is 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm and 6pm-7pm.
Play Team
We have a Play Team at Blackpool who can provide preparation and distraction for children coming into hospital. If your child has a particular anxiety you can contact the Play Team to discuss a plan for if they come into the Children’s Ward.
Children’s Community Nursing Team
The Children’s Community Nursing Team liaises with the Unit providing the link between home and hospital. You will become very familiar with the Children’s Community Nursing Team and they will provide advice and support for you and your child in your own home. You may also see them if you bring your child into the hospital.
Children’s Community Nursing Team: 01253 956896
