Henderson, J.1, Shaw, N.1, Hooke, N1, Cruickshank, M1,2
1 The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145.
2 University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007.
joanne.henderson@health.nsw.gov.au, Nadine.shaw@health.nsw.gov.au, Natalie.Hooke@health.nsw.gov.au, Marilyn.Cruickshank@health.nsw.gov.au
Background: To meet the needs of children and their families in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual paediatric clinical service was activated. Demand pushed services to rapidly expand, paediatric staff were deployed from multiple disciplines across the hospitals to fill shifts. Clinicians were upskilled to provide virtual care for patients and families affected by COVID-19. An unexpected consequence was the exposure of staff to psychosocial stressors well outside their usual experience.
Aim: To describe the impact of home isolation on children and their families, who were COVID positive and the subsequent stressors faced by the nursing, medical, allied and support teams delivering virtual care.
Results: Over 16,300 COVID-19 positive children and their families were cared for in their homes in the 12 months from June 2021. The virtualKIDS COVID Response service included: 24/7 clinical services providing acute assessment via phone or video; swabbing of children and family members in their homes; logistics support with provision of food, medical and other essential supplies; Home in the Hospital support for children whose carers were hospitalised; GP Pod for community care; social work services and employee psychosocial support.
Conclusion: Public health strategies used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, exposed some family members isolating in their homes to situations that were unfathomable. At times, attempting to meet demands, clinical teams were pushed to their emotional limits. We recognise their significant contribution to supporting children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic and support the workforce’s health and well-being by voicing their experiences.