Closing the gap to support children and families
Shining a light on our children’s nursing heroes as we celebrate our first ever National Children’s Nurses Day
Tricia May-Parrott’s visionary leadership redefines what it means to provide integrated paediatric care.
In response to a rise in under-5s frequently attending Paeds ED Whipps Cross, the family liaison nurse role was introduces at Whipps Cross Hospital, bridging the gap between the paediatric emergency department (Paeds ED) and the community by looking beyond the immediate clinical presentation to see the child and family as a whole.
Over the last three years, she has personally reviewed the cases of over 428 children who frequently attended Paeds ED, conducting deep dive reviews to identify unmet social and medical needs.
The family liaison nurse role was developed in a pilot to provide more holistic support to families and reduce avoidable visits.
This award-winning pilot directly led to an incredible 83% reduction in repeat Paeds ED attendances among engaged families, ensuring children receive the right care in the right place.
What makes Tricia truly exceptional is her advocacy for the most vulnerable. Tricia has identified life-saving safeguarding gaps, including previously unshared concerns regarding Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII), and has personally facilitated over 242 referrals to essential services like health visitors, housing support, and asthma specialists.
Her work is not just about data; it is about human connection. Parents consistently describe her as "lovely" and credit her with putting their "minds at ease".
Tricia’s journey from a pilot project to a sustainable model that is now being scaled across the Trust shows the power of one nurse to inspire systemic change. She is a true hero whose work ensures healthier trajectories for the next generation.
As we celebrate the first ever National Children’s Nurses Day on Monday 29 June 2026, we’d like to thank our incredible children’s nurses for their extraordinary dedication and compassion to care for babies, children, young patients and their families.