26 October 2020

Children’s Emergency and Trauma Department build complete

Southampton Hospitals Charity and The Murray Parish Trust announce Children’s Emergency and Trauma Department build completion

Being in hospital can be a difficult time for anyone especially our younger patients, and that’s why we’re really pleased to be able to let you know that our new Children’s Accident and Emergency Department (CETD) building has been completed. It’s a new child friendly and stimulating environment with elements to enhance the care of our patients and make them feel safe and secure. Our surroundings have a huge effect on how we feel and that’s especially important in a hospital.

Thanks to all your generous donations, sponsorship and fundraising, Southampton Hospitals Charity in partnership with The Murray Parish Trust raised £2million needed for the refurbishment, which was then match-funded by the Government.

The difference your donations have made is life-changing.

Watch how the department has been transformed...

Jeneen Thomson, Interim Joint Director, Southampton Hospitals Charity said,

“We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our local businesses and community. They have literally changed care for thousands of our young patients and we want anyone who donated to our appeal to know that we are so appreciative of their support. Thank you so much.”

The new CETD has a spacious Outpatients Department that has been designed with the needs of children in mind, offering them a space which provides them with privacy and dignity, whilst also seeking to reduce anxiety and boredom.

This unique space now offers a specialist sedation room, an observed play area, x-ray department within the unit, distraction equipment to help prepare children for any tests and an eight bed short stay area for children requiring longer observation or treatment.

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, University Hospital Southampton had to adapt some of the areas across the hospital to treat patients, including utilising the CETD to create capacity for adults. We are however still not out of the woods and although we’re proud to announce that the CETD build has been completed, we’re conscious that the space could again be adapted to brace for a further surge in patients.

If you have a minor injury, please do not attend our Emergency Department at University Hospital Southampton. Instead, if you need urgent, non-emergency care, please visit the Royal South Hants Urgent Treatment Centre or Lymington Urgent Treatment Centre. Our emergency nurse practitioners will be on-hand to provide first aid but if you require further care you will be directed to one of these services and provided with advice.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), please do not attend the emergency department or any of these other services.

Please always check the UHS website for up-to-date information.

Last updated: 26.10.2020

Your first glance at our new department...

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