A new emergency unit aims to treat children in need of medical care faster and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.
The paediatric clinical decision unit opened in the children’s emergency department at Whipps Cross hospital in Leytonstone.
It will cater for children who need to be seen urgently and receive treatment but do not necessarily need a hospital admission.
Barts Health Trust, who run the hospital, said they hope the new unit will free up beds for those most in need, reducing pressure on the A&E.
Dr Charlotte Hopkins, Clinical Director at Whipps Cross Hospital, said: “Sometimes when parents bring their child to the emergency department, they need treatment but don’t necessarily need to stay in hospital.
“This new unit will allow us to give fast, safe and high quality care to children where they can be observed, treated and discharged later in the day – which I am sure will be of great relief to parents.”
The unit opened on the October 12 2016 as part of the hospital’s emergency department.
It follows the opening of a new breast clinic and operating theatres at the hospital.
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