Clinical Nurse Specialist
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a nurse who is specialised in caring for babies and children born with a cleft lip and / or palate. The CNS aims to provide a responsive and proactive service to families…
Antenatal Diagnosis
You will be referred into the Northwest Cleft Network once you have been given an antenatal diagnosis that your child has a cleft lip and / or palate. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will contact you within 24 hours…
Following the referral of your baby by the local District General Hospital at birth, or as soon as possible, the CNS will provide an initial assessment over the telephone and guide health professionals…
Preparing for Surgery
The Cleft Surgeon is likely to operate on the cleft lip when the baby is between three to six months old. However, if your baby was born early or there are other medical conditions then these times may change…
Feeding Support
Your clinical nurse specialist will then arrange to meet you again about six weeks before your baby’s predicted arrival. This is to discuss feeding your baby in more depth as well as answering any further questions you may have.