The conception of community children's nursing services in Northern Ireland

This report is an exploration of the implications of establishing a community children's nursing service in Northern Ireland. It provides a description of the backdrop to the development of the service in the United Kingdom, and the experiences of children's nurses in attempting to upgrade the quality of care offered to sick children in this province. The frustrations that have characterized this development are explored in detail within the context of broader changes in health care on the national scene. The article ends with recommendations for implementing an effective service, following our experiences in Northern Ireland.