Taking health care to vulnerable children 0-12 years: Nursing leading the way

Aim
The aim of the research, and subsequent health care innovation, was to improve health outcomes for some of Australia’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. The numbers of children aged 0‐12 years attending homeless services is increasing both in Australia and globally. Access to adequate primary health
care services is a major problem for homeless children needing care. The children have little or no access to appropriate and timely health care. Workers in the sector have little or no child development knowledge therefore children miss out on vital milestones in their development leading to developmental delay. Homelessness is a time of increased developmental risk for children resulting in the development and exacerbation of lifelong ill‐health. The families rely on Emergency Department adhoc care.
Method
Mixed methods design entailed questionnaires and interviews with staff and parents to identify the extent of the health service delivery gap in phase 1. The nursing intervention used student nursing placements, sector staff education sessions, and paediatric clinical nurses. Phase 2 data collection using pre and post placement questionnaires and interviewing students, clinical supervisors and sector staff.
Results
There was a profound lack of links to nursing and health care which impacted on children’s normal development. The education program for staff and new methods of health care delivery has gone someway to addressing the need. There improved rates of referral uptake and engagement with health services.
Conclusions
More child focused services are needed in this sector to improve health services delivery and health uptake for vulnerable children.