Is your child about to start on HPS?

Learning that a child you are the parent or carer of will need home parenteral support (HPS) can be challenging. Be reassured, however, that there is a lot of support available and with time, you'll establish your own routine which will make things easier. Your child's hospital team will only ever send someone home on HPS if they think it's appropriate to do so and with help from the homecare company, every step will be taken to make sure the transition to home goes as smoothly as possible.

Being on the Calea HPS service means you will have access to a 24-hour advice line (Freephone 0800 121 8300) which is staffed by specialist nurses who can help answer any general questions you might have about your child's HPS. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and quality purposes.

What should I expect in the first few weeks?

Before your child leaves hospital, the hospital team will make sure they've explained to you everything that's involved with HPS, that you've been taught everything you need to know to give your child HPS, and that all the arrangements are in place with the selected homecare company such as Calea. In addition to all the information and training that the hospital team provides, you'll probably get a visit from the homecare company nurse, to make sure the transition to home goes as smoothly as possible.

It's probably during the first few weeks that lots of questions will crop up, but you can always contact your hospital team during the hours they are available or the Calea nurses whenever you need to. If your child is old enough, Calea also provides lots of resources that are aimed at helping children to understand why they need nutrition support and HPS in particular.

Meet Rufus!

Rufus is a young orang-utan who is on HPS. Rufus has his own website that contains lots of information and fun activities about what it's like being a youngster who needs HPS and may be able to help with some of the questions you or your child might have.

Find out more about Rufus and his friends by visiting www.caleapaediatric.co.uk