New services for children now open

03 February 2012

The next stage in the development of the new Chelsea Children’s Hospital at Chelsea and Westminster has been reached following the opening of new facilities this week.

The next stage in the development of the new Chelsea Children’s Hospital at Chelsea and Westminster has been reached following the opening of new facilities this week.

Two new children’s operating theatres opened on Thursday 2 February—bringing the total to four new theatres—following the opening of an extended Paediatric High Dependency Unit on Wednesday 1 February and Saturn Ward (day surgery ward) on Tuesday 31 January. An expanded surgical recovery area opened earlier in January.

These new facilities for children cared for at Chelsea and Westminster are all located on the 1st Floor of the Netherton Grove Extension to the hospital—this is the second phase of the development of the new Chelsea Children’s Hospital following the opening of two children’s operating theatres and surgical admissions and pre-assessment areas in September 2011.

Simon Eccles, Clinical Director for Children’s, Neonatal and Young People’s Services, says: “The opening of these new facilities is a hugely significant landmark in our development of the new Chelsea Children’s Hospital. Over the next 18 months an integrated paediatric service will be created on the 1st Floor of the hospital including upgraded children’s inpatient wards and outpatients department.”

Other facilities such as Children’s A&E, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, therapies and child development services are also located at Chelsea andWestminster.

Mr Eccles explains: “Our aim is that by the end of 2013 the 1st Floor will be home to what amounts to a new children’s hospital. In recognition of the scale of the development we have renamed our children’s services as Chelsea Children’s Hospital. The name and logo were chosen following a consultation exercise with patients, parents and staff.”