We are teams of nurses with specialist skills and experience who provide assessment and support to children with acute and short-term health conditions at home.
Our services
- Portsmouth Children’s Outreach, Assessment and Support Team (COAST). Available to babies, children and young people with a Portsmouth city, Fareham, Gosport and South East Hampshire GP.
- Southampton Children’s Hospital @ Home Team (CH@H). Available to babies, children and young people with a Southampton City or South West Hampshire GP (excluding Avon Valley, Eastleigh and Chandlers ford).
Our aims
- To reduce unnecessary attendance and / or admission to hospital for the child.
- Facilitate early discharge from hospital wherever possible.
- Provide advice and practical support for children and their families, promoting and empowering parents to safely look after their unwell child at home.
- Promote the physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of children and young people in their own environment.
What to expect
Initial assessment
We are a responsive service. Once we have received a referral, we will make initial telephone contact with you to assess your child within two hours.
Follow-up contacts
Following initial assessment, we may offer a video call and / or visit your home to assess your child face-to-face. We will agree and arrange any follow-up contacts with you depending on your child's needs.
With support and clear safety-netting advice, we will empower you to safely care for your unwell child at home whilst being able to recognise the signs and symptoms of deterioration.
Further support and discharge
If further medical support is needed, this will be discussed with the paediatric doctors or your GP.
As your child recovers, the team will agree a plan for discharge from the service (this is generally 3-4 days).
Referral criteria and accessing the service
The referral route for this service is through healthcare professional only
For COAST service to process your referral, the child or young person must be:
- aged between 0 and 16 years old,
- diagnosed with one of the care pathways supported by the service:
- Bronchiolitis
- Exacerbation of asthma
- Chest Infection
- Gastroenteritis
- Viral Induced Wheeze
- Tonsillitis
- URTI (Upper respiratory tract infection)
- living and registered with a GP within Portsmouth city, Fareham & Gosport and SE Hampshire,
- having green/amber clinical findings and no red clinical findings as detailed in the Wessex Healthier Together Pathways.
Make a referral to COAST Portsmouth:
- Complete our E-referral form (opens on Microsoft Form)
- Contact the team on: 0300 123 5207 (Monday to Friday 8:30am-7:30pm, closed Christmas Day)
For CH@H service to process your referral, the child or young person must be:
- aged between 0 and 16 years old,
- diagnosed by a healthcare professional with one of the following care pathways:
- Bronchiolitis
- Respiratory Tract Infection
- Viral Induced Wheeze
- Exacerbation of Asthma
- Croup
- Gastroenteritis
- Intravenous Antibiotics (short term via OPAT service)
- living and registered with a GP within the Southampton City or South West Hampshire (excluding Avon Valley, Eastleigh and Chandlers ford).
- having green/amber clinical findings and no red clinical findings as detailed in the Wessex Healthier Together Pathways
Make a referral to CH@H Southampton:
- Complete our E-referral form (opens on Microsoft Form)
- Contact the team on: 0300 123 6609 (Monday to Friday 8:30am-7:30pm, closed Christmas Day)
How to find us
We are based in Portsmouth and Southampton:
Portsmouth
Battenburg Child Development Centre, Battenburg Avenue, Portsmouth, PO2 0TA
Southampton
2nd floor, Adelaide Health Centre William Macleod Way, Southampton, SO16 4XE
Contact information
Portsmouth
Telephone: 0300 123 5207
Monday to Friday 8:30am-7:30pm (closed Christmas Day)
Email: hiowh.coastportsmouth@nhs.net
Southampton
Telephone: 0300 123 6609
Monday to Friday 8:30am-7:30pm (closed Christmas Day)
Email: hiowh.ChildrensHospitalAtHome@nhs.net
Further information
Who else can help
The resources on the Healthier Together website (opens in a new tab) have been developed in partnership between parents and healthcare professionals from across Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. You'll find clear information on common childhood illnesses, including advice on what 'red-flag' signs to look out for, where to seek help if required, what you should do to keep your child comfortable, and how long your child's symptoms are likely to last.
Local pharmacists can advise on the appropriate over-the-counter medicines that are suitable for children.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for over the phone advice and will signpost you to appropriate healthcare services when required.
In an emergency you should visit the emergency department or call 999.