making a
difference:
for healthcare
professionals
Sarah Mitchell, GP, co-chair WMPPCN,
NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow
“In my work as a GP it’s very important to
know Acorns is there to provide vital help
and guidance. For children and young
people who are living with long-term
life limiting conditions, Acorns provides
valuable support for the whole family.
Imelda Bennett, Consultant Paediatrician
“Acorns is also pivotal in the West
Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care
Network. This is a voluntary network of
committed and motivated individuals and
exists to provide a forum for all to meet,
working with commissioners. Acorns
generously provide a meeting venue and
administration support without which
the network would struggle to carry on.”
“Short breaks can be critical for the families
of children with complex medical problems and
Acorns is our main source of overnight respite
as locally similar provisions are minimal.
“Without Acorns, families would be left with
minimal respite and outreach support – factors
which enable the families to cope with the
difficulties they face in caring for their child.”
Sue Davies, Lead Nurse, Children
and Young People’s Palliative Care,
Integrated and Community Care
Division, South Warwickshire
Foundation Trust
“It’s all about choice and providing
extras that the NHS is not able to
provide. Acorns fills in the gaps of
what we can’t do. It’s somewhere
families can go where they get safe,
high quality respite, where their
needs are fully met and is a really
valuable service.
“If they didn’t exist there would be
a lot of gaps in the service.”
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