Our Impact

Our impact in numbers

Over 120 Roald Dahl Nurses established*

Roald Dahl Specialist Nurses are a vital lifeline to the children and their families, supporting them clinically and emotionally.

*includes one play specialist and two occupational therapists.

Over 33,000 children and young people supported**

"If we didn't have our Roald Dahl Nurse, we'd feel completely alone." Parent of a seriously ill child.

**Seriously ill children supported at any one time. This number is estimated.

Over 50 Partnerships with NHS Trusts and Health Boards

We highly value our relationships with the NHS, creating and innovating seriously ill children's healthcare with them, improving outcomes and making better lives.

9.47 out of 10 - how satisfied families are with their Roald Dahl Nurse

In a recent survey we found that families value their Roald Dahl Specialist Nurses very highly.

"Our Roald Dahl Nurse has been a beacon of light in our darkest of hours." Parent of a seriously ill child.

Over 30 nurse-led innovation projects developed and delivered

We support Roald Dahl Nurses to solve problems creatively. Using a cohort approach, and through forming partnerships we work closely with our nurses to improve healthcare outcomes for children through innovation.

The impact of Roald Dahl Nurse Specialists

In order to better understand the contribution of Roald Dahl Nurses to children's healthcare, we commissioned Sheffield Hallam University to independently explore and evaluate, from the perspectives of multiple stakeholder groups, the role and impact of Roald Dahl Nurses.

Sheffield Hallam University has evidenced that Roald Dahl Nurses, regardless of their specialty, location, organisation or service focus, have a profoundly positive impact on the stakeholders around them.

Roald Dahl Nurses have proved to be invaluable assets and indispensable not only for the children and families in their caseload, but also the NHS Trusts and Health Boards where they work, the medical teams and the community at large.

Roald Dahl Nurses' four impact areas

Quality and experience of care

Holistic family-centered care

Efficiencies and cost-effectiveness

Leadership and innovation

Sheffield Hallam University Research

'Marvellous Nurses' - Highlights of SHU study

Find Out More

SHU - Full Evaluation Report

The Full Report
The Appendices

Impact Newsletters and Annual Review

Our Impact Newsletters and Annual Reviews showcase our work and how the help of our incredible supporters impacts the children and families we serve.

Find out other information about our impact.

Our impact on families - meet Alfie

Read Alfie's Story

Find out where Roald Dahl Nurses are

Find Out More

Demonstrating the financial value of Roald Dahl Specialist Nurses

In partnership with the Royal College of Nursing, and applying the principles of economic assessment, we have developed some case studies that illustrate the financial value of our Roald Dahl Nurses.

For example, Kirsten Johnson – Roald Dahl Sapphire Epilepsy Specialist Nurse at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust – demonstrated that her telephone and advice line service had saved the NHS £84,778 in just one year.

Find out more about Kirsten's study:

Kirsten's Study

Other case studies that demonstrate the value of specialist nursing

Edith Aimiuwu - Roald Dahl Paediatric Haemoglobinopathy Clinical Nurse Specialist at Whittington Health NHS Trust - demonstrated that a nurse-led service when compared to consultant-led service can be as effective and more efficient. Read Edith's case here.

Natalie Baines - Roald Dahl Sapphire Epilepsy Nurse Specialist at Royal Surrey County Hospital – argued that her service, providing timely intervention with patient and families may avoid the healthcare system costs of between £26,320 and £78,960 per annum. Read more about Natalie's study here.

What the charity has done for us is priceless. We need our Roald Dahl Nurse.