Hospital Services
NHS Health Services for Children
The Great Western Hospital provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services for Swindon-based children and young people under the age of 18 with a variety of medical needs and conditions.
Services include support from the following professionals:
- Dieticians
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Children's Outreach Nurses
- Children’s Pharmacist
- Enuresis Specialist Nurse
Specialist Outreach Nurses
The Children's Outreach Nurses work in partnership with families to provide specialist care for children with complex health needs such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and diabetes. They offer the following support:
- Care and monitoring of children requiring oxygen therapy
- Feeding management, including assistance and advice with nasogastric/gastrostomy feeding
- Monitoring and administration of medication and IV (intravenous) drugs
- Palliative care and symptom control
- Post-operative nursing care
They also help to co-ordinate care packages with other health care professionals and services and enable children to be looked after in the environment of their choice.
Outpatient Clinics
Most clinics are held on the hospital site, but a few are held offsite at the Salt Way Children’s Centre or other health centres. Specialist clinics cover ENT, Audiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopaedic and Fracture.
Day Surgical Unit
This is not a dedicated children’s unit, but does allow for minor, day care operations for children.
Children’s Oncology Services
A team of staff work with the Paediatric Oncology Centre in Oxford to provide some of the support and treatment that children suffering from cancer need, trying to keep them closer to home. They liaise with GPs, health visitors, school nurses, social workers and voluntary services to provide continuing care from hospital to hospital and hospital to home.
Social and Emotional Support for Families Caring for a Child with Cancer
The CLIC Sargent Social Worker is available to help all family members cope with their fears and concerns associated with caring for a child with cancer. CLIC Sargent can provide help with breaks and holidays and offer free accommodation to enable families to stay close to regional oncology units.
Family Support Workers from the Rainbow Trust can also offer practical support and, if life becomes overwhelmingly difficult and stressful, advice and therapy can be organises via the Child and Family Consultation Service.
Palliative Care for Children with Life-Limiting Illnesses
The Children’s Team liaises with local hospices to provide 24 hour support for young people requiring palliative care, including support in the child’s own home where possible.
Continence Services
Continence services are provided by your GP or the school nurse to support anyone over the age of four with bladder or bowel dysfunction. If your child has continued bedwetting at night, he or she can be referred to the Enuresis team.
How to Make an Outpatient Appointment
If you would like to be seen by a specialist in outpatients for the diagnosis, treatment and management of your child’s condition, you need to make an appointment with your GP who will then write a referral letter to the appropriate professional at the hospital. Following this, an appointment letter will be sent to you in the post.
Useful Links
CALM (Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement): A local charity for families who have a child suffering from cancer or leukaemia. CALM offers support to families to help them cope with the physical, emotional and sometimes financial strain.
Rainbow Trust: Family centred care for children with life-threatening or terminal illness. Swindon Team; Tel: 01793 841204
Childrens Centres in Swindon
Hospital Services in the Marketplace