The children’s ward at King George Hospital in Ilford has temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Children will now be seen at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, which is approximately 45 minutes away by public transport.
This closure is temporary and was done “to ensure the safety of our young patients”, according to the trust’s chief executive Tony Chambers.
He said: “We’re working hard to keep our patients and the staff caring for them safe while we deal with Covid-19. This involves delivering care differently.
“To ensure the safety of our young patients, we have co-located inpatient paediatric services at Queen’s Hospital, which will ensure we have specialist care for children in one place.
“A small number of children attend King George Hospital, which has recently decreased significantly. Therefore, it is in the best interests of these children to consolidate specialist care on one site.
“We will continue to assess the small number of children who come to King George Hospital. For those that need further care or to be admitted, they will be brought to Queen’s Hospital.
“We are monitoring this situation closely, undertaking daily reviews to ensure the continued safety of these children.”
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