Emergency referrals
If there is an identified need for immediate or short notice support from Demelza, please contact the local Head of Care or the Community Services Manager by telephone first. This will enable key information to be gathered and support a prompt assessment and admission, should we be able to assist. Such referrals may relate to end of life care, bereavement suite use, symptom management or crisis intervention.
In Kent and Medway - Head of Care Kent: 01795 845200
In South East London - Head of Care SEL: 0208 859 9800
In East Sussex - Community Services Manager East Sussex: 01323 446474
Who can use our services?
Demelza’s services are available for children and young people, aged 0-19, with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions (see below for definitions). There is no definitive list of conditions or illnesses which may or may not meet the criteria, the following information outlines Demelza’s eligibility criteria:
- Live in the Demelza catchment area of Kent & Medway, East Sussex and South London, specifically the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Greenwich and Croydon
- Have written consent for a referral from a person with parental responsibility
Categories
| Category One |
Life-threatening conditions for which curative treatment may fail e.g. cancer, irreversible organ failure |
| Category Two |
Conditions where premature death is anticipated but intensive treatment may prolong life e.g. complicated cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy |
| Category Three |
Progressive conditions without curative treatment options where treatment is exclusively palliative e.g. Battens disease, mucopolysaccharidoses |
| Category Four |
Conditions causing severe neurological disability leading to susceptibility of health complications and likelihood of premature death e.g. severe cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities following brain or spinal cord injury |
Category Four further assessment
Demelza aims to be there for life-limited and life-threatened babies, children, young people and their families within our region, as and when they need us. With this in mind, it may be necessary to complete a short, further assessment for those referred with conditions defined under Category Four, to establish that they meet the criteria.