Following the successful delivery of a pilot programme in 2023/24, the Humber VPP has appointed The Blue Door to lead on the delivery of an A&E Navigator programme, on the south bank of the Humber.
The project focuses on providing consent-based, needs-led support for young people in hospitals through the placement of full-time Navigators. These Navigators will be embedded in both Scunthorpe General Hospital and Princess Diana of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. Initially, the Navigators will work during core hours, with the potential to expand their availability as the service grows.
Their goal is to ensure that no reachable moment with a young person is missed, even offering out-of-hours referrals through their 24/7 services. It is understood that the initial visit to the emergency department may not always be the right time for intervention, so they will also engage with young people admitted to wards or receiving outpatient care.
The Navigators will work with young people in the community for as long as necessary, connecting them to the appropriate services based on their holistic needs. By collaborating with partner agencies and leveraging their knowledge of the local area, they aim to provide comprehensive support encompassing substance misuse, early intervention, and other specialised services.
In addition to direct support for young people, the navigator team plan to implement a trust-wide training program to enhance the identification of violence-related injuries among staff. They will also provide ongoing guidance and support for clinical and non-clinical professionals.
Through these efforts, they aim to deliver a comprehensive, needs-led support system for young people in hospitals, promoting their well-being and safety in the community.
