HMR Childrens Community Nursing and Paediatric Nurse Practitioner Service

15/10/2025

🔥It's National Burns Awareness Day 🔥A day highlighting how easily burns and scalds can happen, and how we can all help prevent and treat them safely.

👶 Children are especially at risk of burns as their skin is more delicate and they are less aware of danger. According to the Children’s Burns Trust, 9,244 children were seriously burned in 2024 (and that doesn’t include A&E attendances, only the more serious injuries).

☕ Hot drinks are the leading cause of burns to children. Every day, 30 children are burnt by a hot drink. Even 15 minutes after being made, a hot drink can still scald, so always keep them out of reach of little hands.

💧 If a burn or scald does occur follow this trusted advice from the NHS:

Stop the burning process as soon as possible (remove from the source, smother flames, etc.).

Remove clothing or jewellery from around the burn (but don’t try to remove anything stuck to the skin).

Cool the burn under cool (not cold or icy) running water for 20 minutes, as soon as you can.

Avoid using ice, ointments, creams, butter or greasy substances as these can cause more harm.

Keep the person warm, but avoid covering the burned area with blankets or clothing.

Cover the burn with cling film (or a clean, non-fluffy dressing) loosely, not wrapped tightly.

Give pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following dosage instructions. (Avoid aspirin for children < 16)

Raise the affected area (if possible) to help reduce swelling.

⚠️ When to seek hospital care / emergency help:
You should go to A&E for:
• Burns larger than the person’s hand
• Deep burns (white, charred skin)
• Burns on face, hands, feet, joints or ge***al areas
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Signs of shock (cold, clammy skin, dizziness, weakness)
Also seek care if the person is a small child, has underlying health issues, or you’re unsure about the severity.

For more information and safety advice, check the Children’s Burns Trust page https://www.facebook.com/childrensburnstrust/?locale=en_GB

Let’s do all we can to reduce preventable burns.

14/10/2025

Halloween is right around the corner, but so is flu season. 🦠👻
A quick and painless nasal spray vaccine protects your little monster from the nastiness that is flu. Find out more about getting them protected in our blog post. 🎃
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2023/10/09/5-reasons-to-vaccinate-your-under-5s-against-flu/

06/10/2025

Get to know where to go and help us save our emergency departments for those who need them the most.

30/09/2025

💨 New Guidance on Asthma/Wheeze Care After Hospital Discharge 💨

From this week, children discharged from hospital (or seen by our Paediatric Nurse Practitioner Service) after an episode of asthma or wheeze will now go home with updated advice on how to use their reliever inhaler (salbutamol).

❓What’s changed?
Previously: families were told to give high doses of salbutamol every 4 hours and gradually reduce this over several days.
Now: families are advised to give salbutamol only when symptoms return, and only as much as needed to relieve those symptoms, rather than following a strict timetable.

✅ This new way of working is based on research evidence and has already been successfully implemented in other areas of the country. The approach has been agreed across Greater Manchester, with input from paediatricians, A&Es, community, and asthma nurses, who have all had training to support families with this new approach.

If your child is discharged on this new plan you will:
🗣️ Have the plan explained to you by staff before you leave the hospital/clinic.
📄 Receive written advice, including links to videos on spotting when your child is working harder to breath, and how to use the inhaler, as well as a clear flow chart to guide when to give salbutamol and how to check if it’s working
📞 Be contacted by our Children’s Community Nursing Team (CCNT), who will support you until you feel confident to manage at home or your child has recovered.

🎥 For more information, watch this short NHS Greater Manchester video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HWNx8sOjXQ

❗️ However, please do not worry of your child is provided with the old plan as there are a small number of cases in which this may happen, but this will be discussed by the CCNT when they contact you.

This video offers advice to parents if there child is still struggling with their asthma on leaving hospital

25/09/2025

🎉 Asthma Friendly School Success in Castleton! 🎉

Our nurses, Inez and Nicky, have been busy supporting Castleton Primary School, who are now set to become the first school in Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale to achieve Asthma Friendly School status. 👏💙

This initiative helps schools put in place the right training, policies and resources to keep children with asthma safe and supported every day, whether that’s in the classroom, the playground or on the sports field.

A huge thank you to Sonia from the Bury Children’s Community Nursing Team for kindly lending her resources to help deliver this important work. 🤝

We’re really proud to be part of this step forward in making our schools healthier, safer places for children with asthma. 💨✨

25/09/2025

It is National

The ICON programme is built around a simple, evidence-based message:

I – Infant crying is normal and will stop
C – Comfort methods can sometimes soothe the baby
O – It’s OK to walk away for a few minutes if the baby is safe and the crying feels overwhelming
N – Never shake or hurt a baby

To find out more ⬇️
https://iconcope.org/.../20250922-icon-week-2025.../

18/09/2025

🌍 It's National Eczema Week 🌍

Eczema is a common childhood condition, but it can sometimes be tricky to manage.

This short video is a really helpful explanation of what eczema is, and how treatments like moisturisers and steroid creams work:

▶️ Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ5NWbytGlU

Did you know we run an Eczema education service for children and young people? Our nurses can help children and their families to:
✅️ Understand eczema and its triggers
✅️ Learn how to use treatments effectively
✅️ Build confidence in day-to-day care

If you think your child would benefit, you can ask your GP for a referral to our service, or call us on 0161 206 0606 to discuss a self referral.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

17/09/2025

✨ Epilepsy Transition Group for Young People aged 16–18 years ✨

We’re delighted to be joining forces with Oldham's Epilepsy Service to run a 3-week transition group supporting young people with epilepsy as they prepare to move into adult services.

📍 Where: Mahdlo Youth Zone, Egerton Street, Oldham, OL1 3SE

📅 When: Mondays from 4:30–6:30pm, starting 29th September - 6th October (attend all 3 sessions)

Together with the Oldham team, our Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Lisa and Youth Worker Paula will be covering:
✅️ Independence
✅️ Medication
✅️ Good friendships
✅️ Safety

Preparing for transition is an important step. It helps young people build confidence in managing their health, understand their treatment, and feel ready for the changes ahead as they move into adult care.

This is also a great opportunity to meet others, share experiences, and get support in a friendly and relaxed space. 💜

☕️ Refreshments included!

📞 For more information, please contact the team on 0161 206 0606.

13/09/2025

📣 🌍 Today is World Sepsis Day 📣 🌍

Parents - Do you know the signs of sepsis in children? It could save a life!

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection, and it can affect anyone, including healthy children. Every year, thousands of families are impacted, but early recognition can make all the difference.

👉 Know the signs. Trust your instincts.

🤒 Signs of Sepsis in Children May Include:

🚨 Fast breathing or difficulty breathing

🚨 Fits or convulsions

🚨 Mottled, bluish, or pale skin

🚨 A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed

🚨 Lethargy or difficulty waking

🚨 Feeling cold even in a warm room

🚨 Not eating or drinking

🚨 Not passing urine at all in 8 hours

If your child is unwell and something just doesn’t feel right - DO NOT wait. Ask:
“Could it be sepsis?”
And seek urgent medical attention.

🔗 Learn more and get support from the UK Sepsis Trust

https://sepsistrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sepsis-Savvy-Paediatric-Leaflet-1.pdf

12/09/2025

🫁It’s Week! 🫁

Check out the great post from our HMR Children’s Respiratory Specialist colleagues, answering common parental questions and sharing tips for good asthma control."

11/07/2025

Top tips from our Health Visiting colleagues! 🌞

08/07/2025

🌟 A Big Thank You to David for His Brilliant Idea! 🌟

During a recent visit, our nurse Emily was chatting with her patient’s brother David, about his school sports day. David had a fantastic suggestion - he thought our nursing team should have their very own sports day too! 🏃‍♀️🏅

David even wrote a letter to Emily’s boss, explaining why:

✅ To help Emily and her colleagues get some exercise 💪
✅ To make them strong and “real heroes” 🦸‍♀️
✅ And most importantly, so they can be happy and proud 😊

We’re thrilled to say Emily’s boss, Sarah, agreed that a sports day would be a brilliant idea for the team’s wellbeing, fitness and fun! 🥳

💡 What activities do you think we should include in our sports day? Drop your suggestions in the comments - David has set the bar high, and we’d love your ideas too! 👇