Paediatrics or Children's Services
The Child & Young People’s Health Directorate employ 347 members of staff who provide services for children and young people in the hospital, community and in the home. There are three main departments:
In Hospital
• Children’s Assessment Unit
• Children’s High Dependency Unit
• Babies, Children, Adolescents up to 16 years
• Day Beds and Outpatients
• Paediatric Liaison
Plymouth Hospitals Specialised Children’s Programme aims to provide services that are delivered safely by staff who are trained appropriately in working with children. We aim to provide care in environments and with supporting facilities that meet the needs of children and their families. Our service is child centred, locally accessible, evidence based and clinically effective. Within the hospital directorate we meet with young children and young people who have surgical and medical needs and see them in oupatient clinics and as inpatients.
Based on level 12 at Derriford Hospital our paediatric wards provide general and specialised medical and surgical services for babies, children and adolescents up to 16 years of age. Included are specialties such as Oncology (Leukaemia, etc.), Neurosurgery, Burns and Plastics, plus Orthopaedics, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, etc. Children with cardiac or renal problems, or require major surgery are transferred to Southampton or Bristol.
Paediatric Liaison is also based on level 12; the Liaison Health Visitors ensure effective communication between hospital, the child at home and the Primary Care Team.
Community Child Health
• School Nursing
• Paediatric Outreach: Children’s Community Nursing
• Child Development Centre
• Community Child Health
School Nurses are responsible for the health of school age children. Their work includes routine checks on health and development, the promotion of health and the support of children with ongoing health needs.
The Children’s Community Nursing Team is based on level 12 at Derriford Hospital and is a team that supports families caring for sick children in their own homes. These children may have general or specialised needs including children with Asthma, Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis, Oncology and Growth Disorders.
The Child Development Centre provides a multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment for children with conditions likely to affect their physical development, their communication skills, their social and educational needs and their psychological and emotional health.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Child and Family Outpatients
• Day Therapy Unit
• Inpatient and Outpatient Adolescent Unit
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health unit at Mount Gould Hospital provides assessment and treatment for children and adolescents who have emotional difficulties or mental health problems.
Related Pages
- Anaesthesia for Children
- Surgery for Children