North West Anglia’s NHS FT has opened a new purpose-built Paediatric Assessment Unit, at their Peterborough City Hospital. This is part of a wider project aimed at improving the hospital’s urgent and emergency care services.
This will benefit younger patients in need of specialist paediatric treatment, who will be assessed and treated in the new unit. The relocation into a specially designed modular build, will include dedicated treatment and stabilisation rooms, as well as isolation areas to meet the needs of patients.
The unit is also referred to as the ‘jungle unit’ based on the theme of the room, with illustrations of wildlife to encourage a calming environment.
Dr Tim Jones, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Lead for the Jungle Paediatric Assessment Unit, said: “We’re delighted to reopen the unit in this new and improved space.
“Hospitals can be especially daunting for our younger patients, but our teams have worked closely with the contractors to create a warm and welcoming environment, equipped with everything we need to enhance patient care.”
The unit was previously located in the Emergency Department before it was temporarily moved to the Amazon Children’s Ward, as part of the trust’s response to Covid-19.
Mr Jones explained: “Moving the unit out of its temporary location on the ward to its new home, will also allow us to re-open day-case beds to offer more elective surgery as part of our plans to recover the activity delayed by the pandemic."
