EPIC Children’s Respite Service

Essex, Southend and Thurrock Palliative Integrated Care

We provide home-based respite care for families with children and young people who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions requiring palliative care.

What does your service do?

Our respite carers give you a break by coming to your home and providing high-quality personalised care for children and young people with palliative care needs.

Our registered children’s nurses are on call to you and your respite carer during the visit and for the hour before and after.

Who is the service for?

Children (16 years and under) living in Essex and registered with a GP.

Young people aged 16 to 19 who are under the care of a paediatrician with a plan for transition to adult services.

How can I access your service?

Referral process

You can refer any child or young person with a palliative care need.

Call us on the number below. Or fax or post the referral form in the EPIC leaflet to us using the contact details below.

We will acknowledge your referral within 48 hours by phone and letter.

Our senior nurses will contact you within ten working days to arrange a visit to assess your need. We’ll let you know whether you’re eligible within five weeks.

If you are eligible, you’ll be allocated a number of hours of respite care per month based on your assessed need.

Where and when

Our office at County Hall in Chelmsford is open weekdays (except bank holidays) from 9am until 5pm.

We provide respite care in your own home at all times of the day or night and on any day of the week, depending on need.

How do I contact your service?

For referrals and enquiries, contact our administrator:

• Call: 01245 430767
• Email: epic.respite@nhs.net
• Fax: 01245 430772
• Write to: EPIC Children’s Respite Service, PO Box 297, A3 County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1YS