The Nursing Support Services (NSS) program assists parents and caregivers to help children with special health care needs (birth to age 19) lead active, healthy lives in their communities, while facilitating safe, consistent care and appropriate health supports. The program is delivered by the regional health authorities’ across the province. Anyone can refer a child or youth to Nursing Support Services.

Nursing services include assessment, planning and monitoring of care and may involve:

• information regarding care of child/youth with special health care needs
• consultation regarding community based care and resources
• direct nursing care: coordination of planned, intermittent periods of respite to parent/guardian by a registered or licensed practical nurse, when the skill and judgment of a nurse is required to offer complex supports such as home dialysis, tracheostomy, ventilator and end of life care
• delegated nursing care: training and monitoring of non nurse caregivers to provide special aspects of a child’s care, such as gastrostomy tube meals, blood glucose monitoring, clean intermittent catheterization and oral suctioning. There is ongoing monitoring of these tasks.
• eligibility assessment for the At Home Program, which provides medical and respite benefits
• collaboration with families and other community service providers, such as social workers, physiotherapists and teachers, to facilitate provision of appropriate services and supports

Nursing Support Services provides direct nursing care to children and youth with special health care needs in their homes, schools or child-care settings. In most circumstances, delegated care is provided only in schools or child care settings.

Read the fact sheet, Nursing Support Services, to learn more.

Eligibility

To receive Nursing Support Services the child or youth must meet all of the following criteria:

• Under 19 years of age for in home support and in the school setting to the end of the school year the youth turns 19.
• A resident of the Province of British Columbia.
• Has a care need, which requires the delegation of nursing tasks to non-nurse care providers or requires the judgment and skill of a nurse in the absence of the parent in the home, or select community settings.
• Has a parent/guardian who responsible for the child/youth’s day to day care and consents to the NSS Coordinator consulting with other professionals involved in the child/youth’s care.
• Has a physician who is familiar with child/youth’s condition and care requirements who indicates that the child/youth’s condition is stable and can be safely cared for in the selected community settings.
• Has a local physician able to provide required medical care, consultation and write doctor’s orders for the child/youth.

NOTE: Eligibility for Nursing Support Services is subject to reassessment. Children or parents who are in receipt of an insurance settlement or court award are not eligible for direct nursing care benefits.

Anyone can refer a child to Nursing Support Services. You can contact the program in your community through the local health unit in your regional health authority. The number can be found in the blue pages of your local telephone directory.

You may also contact the Manager, Nursing Support Services (Victoria) at 250 952-6044.