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Specialist Understanding of Complex Care for Children

Module code UCD_NU6445 - January (PFC5)

This module focuses on the central concepts of care that underpin specialist practice in complex care for children and their families. The module is designed to enhance the nurses understanding of the emerging speciality of complex care delivery. This will include exploration of the organisation of health services for this population, factors influencing care delivery in this area including the role of technology, the organisation of care services for this population and issues pertaining to quality care and clinical governance. The module is taught in UCD and the workshops held in Dublin.

The module runs over 12 weeks and there are four units in the module:

Complexity in Clinical Care: This unit will focus on understanding the concept of complexity in the clinical care of children. Students will explore the various meanings of this concept internationally and the various approaches to the organisation of health services for this population.

The Role of Technology in Palliative / Complex Care: This unit will explore the use of technology in supporting children and adolescents with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses. This will include discussion on ethical considerations in the NICU/PICU and the role of the multi-disciplinary team in supporting parents/guardians through critical conversations on care delivery.

Transitioning to home: Focusing on theories of transitioning this unit will explore the needs of the child and their family at the point of discharge to home from the acute care services. This will include exploration of the key constituents of a successful discharge to home including: planning and preparedness of parents/guardians for the clinical care needs of their child; structured discharge trials; negotiation of homecare packages and issues of equity of access; and the roles and responsibilities of the various members of the multidisciplinary team.

Managing care delivery in the home: This unit of the module will explore the structures and processes necessary for optimum care delivery to the child with complex care needs and their family in their home. This will include addressing: issues pertaining to clinical governance in the home; standards of care – international best practice; care coordination; approaches to measuring and enhancing quality care for children with complex care needs in the community.

The module team includes:
Claire Quinn, Programme Director of the Masters/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Children’s Palliative / Complex Care) programme and clinical remit in community children’s palliative care who has a special interest the promotion of children's palliative care in Ireland.
Katie Hill, Assistant Professor in Children's Nursing in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems in UCD.

Target Market
All registered general, intellectual disability, public health, children’s nurses and midwives working with children with life limiting illnesses in an acute or community setting. This module is also open for Medics and Health and Social Care Professionals working in this area.

Prerequisite
Students must be currently working with children at end of life who have a life limiting illness / complex needs. Students must also complete a placement in a paediatric palliative care / complex care setting. Placement length will be based on individual students learning needs. Evidence of professional qualifications as well as Manager Support documentation is required when applying for the module.

Garda vetting is required for this module. This will be organised by the NUI Galway after you have registered for your studies. Also the following information will be sought following acceptance of your place :
         1. Certificate of your immunisation status
         2. Evidence of Children First certification
         3. Moving and Handling certification
         4. Signed Confidentiality agreement for Childrens Hospitals Ireland