The Acute Paediatric Services provide for a range of childhood illness, both inpatients and outpatients.  The Unit consists of:

• Eleven Cubicles
• One Oncology Cubicle
• One Resuscitation Room
• One High Dependency Room
• One ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Assessment Room
• Four 4-Bedded Bays
• One Adolescent 4-Bedded Bay
• One 4-Bedded Assessment Unit

The Unit accepts admissions from GP surgeries, A&E Departments, the Community Paediatric Team (for children on open access to the ward), Midwives and referrals from other hospitals.

The age of admission is from birth to 18 years.  The latter age group is dependent on the young person's choice and reason for admission.

The Unit cares for children of all specialties, including:

• Medical
• Surgical
• ENT
• Orthopaedics
• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology
• Oncology

There are children that come in for the day to have different tests, blood tests, scans or X-rays.  The nurses work closely with the laboratories and other departments to ensure that these are carried out correctly and with minimal upset for the child and family.

Assessment Unit

There is a 4-bedded Unit based on Minffordd Ward which caters for all medical admissions from the A&E Department and directly from General Practitioners.

The Unit deals with short stay admissions and assessment of the child's condition.  The child can stay there for up to 6 hours, at which point the doctor decides whether to admit the child to the ward for further tests or review for discharge home.  All children on the Unit are given 24 hour open access on discharge if the parent is concerned after going home, they can phone for advice or further review on the Unit.  All children are reviewed by a Paediatric Registrar prior to discharge.

The Unit streamlines the admissions from the ward in order to reduce unnecessary admissions and to speed up the waiting times of children that need to be seen by a doctor.

Facilities for Children

Play and Recreation

There is a playroom run by qualified play staff.  Children who are unable to go to the playroom can have toys, games or art and craft materials by their bedside.  When the weather is fine, children are able to use the outdoor play area.  Brothers and sisters can visit the play areas but must be supervised by an adult.

School Sessions

A morning class is held during term time and the children are encouraged to take part.  The teacher will be guided by parents / guardians and the nursing staff about the child's fitness to attend the school sessions.  Links can be made with the child's own school where necessary.

  Consultant Medical Staff