The Nottingham model of care, working with children and their parents, evolved in response to the needs of children and families and out of a shared commitment to change. The Children’s Unit in Nottngham has a high profile nationally and internationally and has striven to adapt, create and develop innovative practice to meet the needs of sick children and their families.
Children’s Nursing in Practice: The Nottingham Model outlines the practical application of the model with numerous case studies. It challenges accepted practice and provides a theoretical and conceptual framework to guide and enhance the delivery of care within children’s units.
Key features of the Nottingham model:
- Based on negotiated care
- Adopts a child and family focused approach
- Written by practitioners for practitioners
- Bridges the theory-practice gap
In Nottingham, parents, families and nurses work together to create a ‘homelike’ environment that enables children and families to maintain some control over their lives by facilitating the development of additional caring skills and knowledge. This is achieved by a process of staff development and the creation of a supportive environment. The model is about caring not only for patients and relatives but also staff. With increasing interest in nursing theories and models and their application to practice, this book is an essential source of information for all practitioners working with children.
The book reflects many years of thinking and analysis of project development in the Children’s Unit. Working alongside Nottingham Children’s Nurses, Fiona Smith has been involved in a variety of projects aimed at enhancing services for children and their families. Since joining the Nottingham Children’s Unit in 1984, she has worked in a variety of settings and currently holds a post of Senior Sister in the Children’s Accident & Emergency Department.
