Temporary changes to re-locate children’s health services at Withybush Hospital

Residents in Pembrokeshire are being asked to look out for a leaflet about children’s hospital services, which will be delivered to households from the week commencing October 25.

It will also provide information on how to access the right care for a child when they are unwell.

Medical director and deputy chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board Dr Philip Kloer said: “We hope the leaflet will be a useful, quick guide for parents and carers to keep handy in the home. We know that making decisions when a child is sick or injured can be stressful and we hope this guide will help.

“It includes a QR code which will take you to our dedicated web resource on children’s services, where there are also alternative versions of the leaflet and contact details for people who wish to share their experience of care.”

The temporary move of the service was made in spring 2020 due to the need for space within the hospital to respond to the Covid pandemic.

It has been extended due to the continuation of the pandemic and also to ensure that the increasing number of children with respiratory illnesses access specialist care when needed.

It means that Withybush Hospital currently treats only children with minor injuries such as minor wounds, minor burns or scalds, insect bites, potential broken bones if not badly misshaped, minor head or face injuries, or foreign bodies in the nose or ear; and booked outpatient appointments.

Children with serious illnesses or injuries are treated at Glangwili Hospital where there is a co-located Emergency Department and children’s hospital services, including an overnight children’s ward, children’s high dependency unit and children’s daytime (ambulatory) care.

Multi-professional clinicians, including local senior doctors in children’s care (paediatrics), emergency medicine, and anaesthetics, have supported the recommendation and the need for clearer messaging to the public in order to reduce the risk of delays in the treatment of children and young people.

Clinical director for women and children’s services, Dr Prem Kumar Pitchaikani said: “We need to avoid the delay that may be caused when a child is brought to Withybush Emergency Department only to need a transfer to Glangwili Hospital.

"The continuation of this temporary service change, will ensure that very ill children, including the increasing number of children likely to have respiratory viruses this winter, will get access to their definitive treatment more quickly.

"They can also be monitored and treated quickly by specialists in the event that they deteriorate.”

Clinical director for emergency medicine, and senior consultant at Withybush Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care Centre, Dr Nicola Drake said: “It is critically important that sick children have the support of specialist paediatricians at the earliest opportunity.

"They also need early access to specialised equipment that is provided and monitored by paediatricians.”

The intention is to continue with the temporary position and commence a review in March 2022, with a report back to the Health Board in autumn 2022.

The review will be scrutinised by the Health Board and Hywel Dda Community Heath Council and will include measuring outcomes for children and young people, as well as patient experiences and the views of communities.

If you have an experience of children’s services you wish to share, search the website for ‘patient survey’ or ‘complaints’; email: hdhb.patientsupportservices@wales.nhs.uk; or telephone: 0300 0200 159.

The health board will engage with communities about the future of children’s services in 2022, but if you want to share your views at this point please; email: hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk; write to: freepost Hywel Dda Health Board (you will not need a stamp); call: 01554 899 056 (this telephone number is not staffed, but messages will be recorded).