Transitioning paediatric care from hospital to home

Snapshot

Kian’s story

Kian is a happy and determined little boy who lives at home with his mum, Kieran, and his twin brother, Jian. Born prematurely at 30 weeks, Kian faced significant health challenges from the very beginning of his life, including respiratory distress and seizures. After spending his first four months in hospital, his family wanted nothing more than to have both boys together at home, while ensuring Kian’s complex clinical needs could be safely supported.

Pulse Nursing at Home was approached by the Integrated Care Board to support Kian’s discharge from hospital and provide ongoing care within the family home. Working closely with Kian’s family and wider healthcare team, we developed a personalised package of care that enabled him to return home safely while continuing to receive the clinical support he needed.

Our approach

Kian’s care journey began before he arrived home, to support a safe and seamless discharge, we carried out a comprehensive assessment of his clinical needs while also taking time to understand the practical and emotional needs of his family.

Our team attended discharge planning meetings alongside consultants, hospital teams and community professionals, ensuring every aspect of Kian’s transition was carefully coordinated. We also worked closely with the family to prepare the home environment and provide reassurance throughout the process.

As part of introducing care into the home, our Clinical Lead met with Kian’s family to explain the care plan, answer questions and introduce the professionals who would be supporting them. Establishing trust and open communication from the outset helped create a strong foundation for the care relationship.

Initially, Pulse Nursing at Home was commissioned to provide overnight nursing support. However, as Kian’s needs and family circumstances evolved, it became clear that daytime support would provide greater benefit for the family. Working collaboratively with the Integrated Care Board and community teams, we adapted the package of care to ensure Kian and his family received the right support at the right time.

Kian is supported by a consistent nurse who has developed a detailed understanding of his routines, preferences and clinical needs. This continuity allows care to be delivered in a highly personalised way while giving the family confidence that Kian is being supported by someone who knows him well.

As Kian’s nurse, Jo supports a range of daily clinical and developmental needs, including physiotherapy exercises, medication preparation, feeding routines and ongoing monitoring. Beyond this, she provides reassurance and practical support to the family, helping them navigate the challenges of caring for a child with complex health needs at home.

Through regular visits and close partnership with the family, Kian’s care continues to evolve alongside his needs, ensuring he receives responsive, child-centred support that promotes both his wellbeing and development.

Impact

Safe transition from hospital to home

Kian was able to leave hospital and begin life at home with his family, supported by a  carefully planned care package of specialist nursing care tailored to his complex needs.

Flexible support tailored to family life

As the family’s circumstances changed, Kian’s care package adapted with them, ensuring support remained aligned to both his clinical needs and the practical realities of family life with two young children.

Supporting development and wellbeing

Regular nursing visits provide hands-on support with physiotherapy, medication administration and feeding routines, helping Kian continue to develop while remaining in the comfort and familiarity of home.

Clinical expertise when it mattered most

During a period of acute illness, Jo recognised subtle signs that Kian’s condition was deteriorating and escalated concerns immediately. Her clinical judgement ensured Kian received urgent hospital treatment at the right time, highlighting the value of having an experienced paediatric nurse supporting care at home.

Trusted relationships and family reassurance

The consistency of Kian’s care team has enabled strong, trusting relationships to develop. The family has confidence that support is always available when they need it, providing reassurance and reducing the pressures often associated with managing complex care at home.

Kian’s family’s experience

For Kieran, having specialist nursing support at home has provided reassurance, practical support and continuity throughout Kian’s journey.

Through a consistent nursing team and close partnership with the family, Kian’s care continues to be shaped around his individual needs, helping him thrive at home alongside his twin brother and family.

Your choice, our commitment.

At Pulse Nursing at Home, we work in partnership with families, Integrated Care Boards, Health Boards, Case Managers and Local Authorities to deliver clinically robust, highly personalised care at home.

Supporting children like Kian to live safely and comfortably at home, surrounded by the people who matter most, is at the heart of everything we do.

To discuss a bespoke package of care, please complete the short form below.