Paediatrics
Welcome to Paediatrics. You can use these pages to find out more about the services that we provide to the children of Plymouth.
We are located up on level 12 of the hospital, and have many different areas and services available across the floor.
This information can be accessed by parents and carers, children and teenagers and may help you feel better prepared for your appointment or stay with us.
Wildgoose ward
Wildgoose Ward is a dedicated adolescent unit providing high-quality, compassionate care for young people aged 11-18 years. Our experienced and friendly multidisciplinary team includes Specialist Children’s Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, and Healthcare Assistants, all committed to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care for both young people and their families.
The ward is led by Ward Manager Laura Crawford, supported by Junior Sisters Noelle Taylor, Charlotte Johns, Lauren McNulty, Beccy Pike, Tanya Tranter, and Tintu Varghese.
Wildgoose Ward has 17 beds, comprising two bays and five cubicles. Cubicles are used when patients require isolation for infection prevention and control. We recognise the importance of family support and welcome one parent or carer to stay overnight with their child.
We care for patients with a wide range of needs, including medical, surgical, ENT (ear, nose and throat), mental health, and oncology conditions.
To support wellbeing during admission, the ward offers a well-equipped games room featuring a pool table, table football, PlayStation, Xbox, DVD player, jukebox, and a variety of other activities. For patients who are unable to leave their bed or require isolation, our Play Specialists provide bedside activities and support, including distraction techniques to help reduce anxiety during procedures. Educational provision can be arranged for patients who have an extended hospital stay, upon request.
Free parking is available for parents and carers in designated barrier-controlled car parks. Please speak to a member of staff during your stay for further information.
Telephone numbers: 01752 431653 or 01752 431654
Woodcock Ward
Woodcock Ward is a 14 bedded acute ward caring for babies and young children between the ages of 10 days up until a child's 11th birthday. We provide nursing care for all types of medical illnesses and conditions in this age group as well as other specialities such as Plastic Surgery, Maxillo Facial, General Surgery and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).
We allow one parent/carer to stay with each child, who is supported in their child's care needs by a member of the nursing team who are assisted by a Health Care Assistant. Please check the most current visiting policy with ward staff at the time of your child's admission as this can be subject to change due to external factors. You are entitled to free parking in any of our barriered car parks while your child is an inpatient. Your nurse or a member of the ward team can tell you more about this upon request during your admission.
We have a well-equipped activity centre based on the ward where you are welcome to take your child to play or relax if they are not being isolated in a side room. If your child is being isolated in a side room, one of the play specialists or a member of the ward team will be more than happy to provide your child with age-appropriate toys or sensory stimulation. Play specialists are also on hand for support to yourselves and your child during their admission and also support the nursing team with distraction techniques during frightening or difficult procedures.
We aim to provide the best possible care during your child's admission, however if you feel there is something that we could do better to improve our service, please feel free to provide us with feedback using the 'friends and family' questionnaire that you will be given prior to your child's discharge from the ward. Alternatively, you can request a discussion with the ward manager during you stay.
Woodcock ward manager: Carly Wright
Telephone numbers: 01752 437495 or 01752 245121
The Children's High Dependency Unit (CHDU)
The children's high dependency unit (CHDU) is a four bedded unit plus a HDU cubicle. We care for children of all ages who are critically ill and require close observation and a higher level of care.
The unit is staffed by two high dependency trained nurses, with a ratio of one nurse to two patients. We also support third year student nurses on placement here.
We work closely with the paediatric medical team to provide excellent care to the patients needing the highest level of support.
Alongside the Children's Assessment Unit, we recently won a PAFTA award for 'The Team of the Year'.
On admission to our unit, we need to assess the immediate needs of your child, stabilise their condition and make them comfortable. The team involved with caring for your child will explain the treatment plan, the equipment being used and the alarms you can hear to alleviate any anxieties. We are aware it can be a very challenging and emotional time when your child is with us, however our friendly and experienced nursing team will work hard to make you as comfortable as possible.
One parent or carer is welcome to stay at the bedside during your admission, we also have the use of three family rooms close to the unit.
As your child's condition improves, they may be transferred to one of our paediatric wards, one step closer to home.
If your child requires high dependency care here, you can be sure of a warm welcome and the upmost in patient care.
CHDU ward manager: Beverley Bromley
Telephone number: 01752 430865
The Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU)
The Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU) accepts referrals of patients from the age of 10 days until their 16 birthday. We receive referrals from GP’s, Emergency Department, community teams and both our short- and long-term open access patients.
CAU cares for patients who have been referred to a variety of specialities including General Paediatrics, General Surgery, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Plastic Surgery, Maxillo Facial and Orthopaedics.
Our unit consists of 12 beds including 4 isolation cubicles and an isolation bay, depending on your child’s presenting illness we may be required to isolate you whilst your assessed on CAU.
On Arrival to CAU your child will be triaged/assessed by one of the experienced and friendly nurses. Your child’s condition and symptoms will be assessed, some observations taken and a height and weight recorded. We follow the Manchester Triage System which is an assessment tool used by the CAU staff to appropriately prioritise patients according to their presenting signs and symptoms. This means that some patients might require urgent treatment and immediate review by medical staff, whilst other patients might have a longer waiting time.
Once your child has been Triaged by the CAU nurse, they will be reviewed by one of the medical team. This should usually be within an hour of being on CAU but during busy periods it could be up to 4 hours. The medical staff will decide what treatment your child requires and whether this can be completed on CAU or if your child needs to be admitted to one of the Children’s wards for a longer period of care. Your child will also need to be seen by one of the senior Paediatric medical team and this is done to review the treatment plan and discuss admission or discharge with you.
Time spent on CAU can vary from 1 hour to 12 hours. If advised to attend, please bring any essentials for your child including any current medication
We allow one parent/carer to accompany and stay with your child, at this present time siblings are unable to attend the unit. We understand that there may possibly be long waiting times on CAU and can provide free parking to help alleviate this worry. Food is provided at mealtimes for children. Please speak to one of our helpful ward clerks or a member of the nursing staff for information.
All patients who are discharged from CAU are provided with 72hrs open access to the unit, this ensures that if you have any worries or concerns you can contact us and discuss with either the nursing or medical staff. If we feel your child needs to be seen again, we can ask you to return to CAU for your child to be reviewed.
CAU ward manager: Beverley Bromley
Telephone numbers: 01752 430401 or 01752 245122
