The future of children’s services is at Chelsea and Westminster

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is set to become the lead centre for neonatal and specialist paediatric surgery in North West London following a recommendation by the North West London Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts.

The decision gives the Trust the green light to establish and lead a network between hospitals in North West London to improve surgical services for children.

The Trust has also received planning permission to build a two-storey extension off the west side of the main hospital building to facilitate development of a new paediatric theatre suite with four new theatres and to allow the co-location of children’s services on one level.

Heather Lawrence, Chief Executive said: “This is a very exciting time for the Trust and a great opportunity to look at new and innovative ways of working to ensure we maintain our position as one of the leading paediatric centres in the country.

“The decision to recommend Chelsea and Westminster as the lead centre is a great opportunity and also recognition of the high quality services the Trust has provided for children and their families over many years.

“The standard of care which the Trust provides can’t be achieved without genuine participation from staff and I’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing commitment to providing excellent service and going the extra mile for patients.”

Chelsea and Westminster will perform all complex paediatric and neonatal surgery in North West London and will be supported by two of London’s leading children’s hospitals, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Evelina Children’s Hospital at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver critical care for children.

Heather Lawrence added: “We already perform the vast majority of complex paediatric and neonatal surgery in North West London. As the lead centre we will carry out all of this complex surgery in North West London whilst supporting other hospitals to deliver less complex surgery.”

The new children’s surgical network will support the sharing of knowledge and skills to enable children and young people to be cared for close to home wherever possible.

Heather Lawrence said: “We will work in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Evelina Children’s Hospital, as well as hospitals in North West London, to ensure that the needs of the children and young people we care for and their families are placed at the centre of everything we do.”

Subject to agreement by NHS London and possible public consultation, the new arrangements will start in April 2010 and cover the eight PCTs in North West London—Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster.