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Model of Care for Children with Feeding Difficulties
Multidisciplinary Model of Care for Children with Feeding Difficulties
1 July 2010
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Authors
Gillian Patterson, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Child and Family Health
Holly Daley, Speech Pathologist
Multi-disciplinary Feeding Clinic, The Children's Hospital Westmead
Abstract
In October 2003 the first multidisciplinary Feeding Clinic in a public hospital in NSW was held at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. The clinic was established in response to a marked increase in the number of children presenting to CHW with feeding problems, either associated with complex medical conditions, or in isolation.
This increase had been observed over a number of years and the fragmented management practices of the time often resulted in delays in intervention and in the resolution of the problems.
Sucking is the primary method by which an infant feeds, involving a "dynamic and intricate co-ordination" of the skills required. These skills include sucking, swallowing and breathing, situated within a background of the infant's medical condition, behavioural state and family setting. Infant feeding is a complex and multidimensional task which is increased into infancy with a growing demand on voluntary skills. When the feeding process is disturbed or interrupted, it can place great stress on families and can be extremely difficult to manage.
As feeding encompass a range of aspects there is a need for assessment and management to match this complexity. The clinic was developed using an evidence-based integrated approach to complex feeding problems. The clinic is staffed by medical, nursing and allied health professionals.
Since the establishment of the clinic the number of patients referred has been steadily increasing. In 2009 a total of 98 individual patients and families were seen (142 occasions of service at 43 clinics), with many families seen on two to five occasions throughout the year. The clinic was also utilising a Tele-Health service for rural and remote patients which allowed the local therapists and medical/nursing staff to be part of the clinic session. (This service is currently no longer available).
"The strength of the team and the way a plan is offered on the day is most appreciated. Thank you to all team members who all were very empathetic and helpful." - Family member
Read more about the feeding clinic (
pdf - 125 KB)
Download the Appointment letter ( pdf - 24 KB) for the clinic. The letter is sent to families and contains all details regarding the appointment including: the average length of the appointment, the structure and timeline of the clinic and the number and role of health professional in the room during the appointment.
Contact
Clinical Nurse Consultant - Child and Family Health
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Phone: 02 9845 3859
Speech Pathologist
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Phone: 02 9845 2076
