Paediatric Emergency Department

Croydon Paediatric Emergency Department 

•  General Information
• Referring to this service

What we do

Our Paediatric Emergency Department provides urgent care for children and young people under 16 years old. We can also see patients under 18 years old if they are already under the care of a paediatric specialist. 

What happens when we arrive?

• When you arrive at the main reception of the Emergency Department you will be directed to the Paediatric Emergency Department reception.
• Please check in at Paediatric Emergency Department reception immediately to register your child. This alerts the medical and nursing staff of your arrival.
•     You will be asked the following about your child:

o         Name

o         Date of birth

o         Contact details, including address, NOK

o         School, nursery or care setting

o         Social services involvement (if applicable)

 

If you need translator services, please tell the person at reception when you check in.

 

Triage

• Soon after you have checked in with the receptionist, you will be called through to triage for the initial assessment.

·                     Here a senior nurse will assess your child and decide:

o         how urgently your child needs to be seen

o         what area of the emergency department your child will be seen in

o         who will see your child

o         if your child needs pain relief or other urgent medication/ treatment.

 

 

How long will it take for my child to be seen?

·                     Children are seen according to how urgent their medical need is and not how long they have been in the department.

·                     Children in the emergency department can be seen in a number of areas depending on how unwell they are (see below).

·                     If you feel your child needs to be seen sooner, they are in pain or they have been missed for some reason, please alert a member of staff as soon as possible so that your child can get the care they need.

 

Areas within Children’s ED

GP

Some patients are redirected to our in-house GP service at the point of triage. These doctors see patients with non-emergency conditions which can be managed in the community.

UTC

Children with minor injuries and illness are cared for in this queue.

ED

Children who need urgent treatment or tests are cared for in this area.

Resuscitation/ PHDU

In this area we manage our critically unwell and severely injured patients.

 

Who can I talk to?

If you have any questions or concerns, please approach any member of staff. If you have been allocated a nurse you can speak with them directly or there is always a Nurse In Charge of the department. They will be happy to answer any questions about your child’s care.

What if I do not want to wait?

Please alert a member of staff if you decide not to wait to be seen. It is important that we always know who is in the department, and if we can do anything else to help you with your emergency.

What happens when my child is discharged?

·                      When your child is discharged, the doctor and nurse will explain the next steps.

·                      If your child has a common illness, further information and advice can be found via QR codes displayed in the Paediatric Emergency Department. Please ask your nurse or doctor where to find them. You can also  access this information on the Healthier Together website .

·                      If your child is prescribed medication when they are discharged, the prescription will be sent electronically to our pharmacy:

Pearl Pharmacy:

Monday - Wednesday- 9am-6pm

Thursday - Friday: 9am-5.30pm

Saturday: 10am - midday

Sunday: closed 

Outside of these hours, your medication (or a prescription) will be provided for you in the department.

 

·                      Your discharge letter will be sent electronically to your GP.

 

Health visitor and social services

·                      We ask every child that comes to the emergency department if they have a social worker.

·                      If we feel your child would benefit from the support of social services or a health visitor, then we will discuss this with you before you go home.

What to do if your child becomes unwell after they are discharged

·                      For non-urgent medical problems, please call 111 or contact your GP.

·                      Please return to the Emergency Department or call 999 if your child needs immediate care, including if they:

o         become floppy or listless (lacking energy)

o         change in colour

o         display a rash that doesn’t disappear under pressure

o         have significant breathing difficulties

What if I have a concern or a worry?

There are several ways for you to raise any concerns you may have:

·                      speak to a member of staff within the department

·                      contact our dedicated  Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

 

Location

Ground floor, Red Zone. Mayday Road, Croydon, CR7 7HP.

Contact Details

·                      Croydon University Hospital switchboard:  020 3299 9000