New roles to support young people with neuromuscular conditions in Rochdale

Neuromuscular Care Advisor, Janice Fidler and Linsie Delaney

Two new members of staff who will focus o helping people in Rochdale with specialist complex care needs have been appointed by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The Trust has appointed a Neuromuscular Care Advisor, Janice Fidler, who will act as a key worker to children with disabling and or life-limiting neuromuscular conditions and their families from diagnosis in childhood.

She will develop care plans for children and families, help with the transition between children’s and adult’s services and co-ordinate care between GP, community and hospital services.

Janice is an experienced child physiotherapist who started her career at Rochdale’s Birch Hill Hospital.

She will be working four days a week at Callaghan House in Heywood.

Janice said: “I am really pleased to be joining the team and feel it is an exciting opportunity to develop and establish an important new role within the Trust.

“Working closely with Linsie, my aim will be to support children and young people with neuromuscular conditions and their families through their journey from diagnosis to adult services.”

Pennine Care’s Paediatric Physiotherapy Service in Rochdale has also appointed a new member of the team – Linsie Delaney, to establish a respiratory service working with children with neuromuscular and respiratory needs.

Her role is to help to reduce hospital admissions and help ensure service users can go home from hospital as early as possible.

She will also help to bridge the gap between children’s and adults’ neuromuscular services.

Linsie has been working as a Paediatric Physiotherapist for the last five years.

Until January 2014 she worked in the Oldham community for Pennine care with children with complex needs and then transferred to work in Rochdale.

Linsie said: “My aim working with children with respiratory conditions is to help them and their parents manage their condition to reduce the likelihood of them being admitted to hospital. I am very much looking forward to working with Janice so we can push this new element aspect of our service forward.”

Both Linsie and Janice will work together with the Children’s Community Nursing Team and the Adult Pulmonary Team to establish a strong and co-ordinated service for patients with a neuromuscular condition.

The Children’s Community Nursing Team cares for children and young people with complex or chronic conditions in their own homes and the Adult Pulmonary Team cares for adults with lung problems.

The posts were commissioned by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

NHS HMR CCG GPs, Dr Danielle Peet, clinical lead for children’s services, and Dr Lynn Hampson, clinical lead for planned and urgent care said: “The new service is fantastic news for patients with neuromuscular conditions living in the Rochdale borough. Specialists Janice and Linsie will work closely together, to ensure patients and their families benefit from better coordination of care, care closer to home and improved access to community services. The service aims to ultimately provide a better life for the patient.”

Robert Meadowcroft, Chief Executive of national charity Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: “The new care advisors are extremely good news for local people living with neuromuscular conditions. We know the vital role care advisors play in the day-to-day lives of thousands of people living with neuromuscular conditions, providing practical and emotional support for families.”