We are a small unit, that provides holistic patient centred care, tailored to the needs of the child and their family.
The unit compromises of a ten-bedded Children’s Ward, a three bedded Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU), a four bedded Children’s Day Ward, the Community Children’s Nursing Team, the Children’s Diabetes Service, and the Children’s Outpatients Unit.
We care for all children from birth until they reach 18, including medical, orthopaedic, and surgical conditions, along with children and young people in mental health crisis.
Our multi-disciplinary team includes staff nurses, nursing associates, nursery nurses, housekeepers, ward clerks, play specialists, children’s community nurses, a paediatric diabetic team, advanced paediatric nurse practitioners, doctors, and consultants. All our nursing staff are specially trained in looking after sick children.
A parent is encouraged to stay with their child whilst in hospital. We have a dedicated playroom and outside area for entertaining your child during their stay. There is a parent’s room with facilities to store food, make drinks, and have some time out for themselves.
Medical consultant ward rounds take place daily, where children are reviewed, and their treatment plans are adjusted accordingly. Orthopaedic and surgical patients are also reviewed daily by staff from those disciplines.
We work closely with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the hospital's Mental Health Liaison Team, to support any child or young person admitted in a mental health crisis.
Children’s day surgical procedures, such as dental, Ear, Nose and Throat ENT, general surgical, and minor operations, are carried out on our Children’s Day Ward. A Pre-Assessment Clinic is run for children pre-surgery to orientate them to the unit and meet members of staff prior to their operation. This gives children a chance to experience hospital in a non-threatening manner and ask questions about their procedures. Parents are also encouraged to ask any questions or concerns they may have.
We also run frequent blood clinics during weekdays for children who are 9 years and under who have been referred via their GP or a doctor for a blood test. The clinic is run by members of staff who are trained to take blood and provide a service which offers distraction techniques and age-appropriate resources to promote a positive experience.
Our Children’s Community Nursing Team works closely with the Children’s Ward to ensure care is carried out seamlessly between the ward and community. They also care for many chronic long-term paediatric patients in their own home environment, preventing many frequent hospital admissions, and relieving some of the difficulties that childhood illnesses bring.
Our Children’s Outpatient Department is situated next door to the Children’s Ward where daily clinics are held Monday to Friday by doctors and consultants. Referrals to these clinics are made either by GPs via a letter, or the NHS e-Referral Service.
We also work closely with our specialist colleagues at the University Hospital Southampton, and other specialist mainland hospitals, to enhance our level of care, by utilising some of their services that we do not provide on the Island.
We are a designated Level 1 Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit and can also offer care to paediatric visitors to the Island with oncology care needs.
Please feel free to ask one of the doctors or nursing staff about your child’s care whilst in hospital. If your child is required to use any of our services now or in the future, we look forward to meeting you and your family.
