HSJ Award win for Patch Children’s Community Nursing Team

The Patch CCN team covers Lambeth and Southwark and works jointly across King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The service provides an early intervention service for children and young people in with asthma, eczema or constipation, offering holistic treatment to those with uncontrolled symptoms.

Lyncia Downer, Patch team leader, said: “We have worked across multiple disciplines to make a meaningful difference to local children and young people.

“By embracing a unique, holistic approach, we are able to provide tailored care to each child and their family. This award highlights the positive impact of our work on children with asthma and I hope it inspires other services to consider adopting a similar method.

“On a personal note, I am deeply grateful for this service, as it would have made a massive difference for my own child had it been available at the time. I am immensely thankful to our team for their hard work, commitment and dedication to making this vision a reality.”

Over 4,000 children have received tailored care from the team since it was established in 2016, with a further 10,000 families being supported with guidance for self-management.

Tracey Carter, Chief Nurse & Executive Director of Midwifery at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This award is extremely well deserved, and we are delighted the Patch CCN team has been recognised at a national level for their outstanding efforts to help young people living with debilitating health conditions.”