Health Secretary opens new Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit

On a visit to Chelsea and Westminster hospital today, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid opened the new Paediatric Ambulatory Care (PACC) unit, our dedicated day unit for children. Before cutting the ribbon, Javid told staff:

“We’ve come here because it’s one of the most well-run hospitals in the country. You should all be proud of that, because it’s not just from the top, it’s everyone involved. That’s how good leadership works. Thank you for all you do, I’m really proud of what you do. Thank you very much.”

Paediatric Ambulatory Care is a service that has been provided at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for a number of years. It ran within the Day Surgery Unit, before being incorporated into the Outpatient setting. To ensure patients receive the best possible treatment and care in a safe and child-friendly environment, the service was identified as needing its own designated area. As the service is rapidly developing, a designated space allows for future improvement and expansion.

The new Paediatric Ambulatory Care (PACC) unit will treat patients for a wide range of conditions. It will provide care such as drug infusions, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, investigations, post ward discharge reviews, blood tests, and cannula insertion. 

The child-friendly design includes bright walls and coloured LED lighting. The day care setting allows for a better patient pathway and experience, treating patients quickly, and avoiding unnecessary admission to ward areas. 

The PACC unit currently accommodates 4-6 patients at a time, aiming to expand capacity to 11 patients. The care team consists of Nursing staff, Health Care Assistants, and a paediatric Senior House Officer, supported by the wider team of specialist Children’s Nurses and specialist Consultants.