Temporary Relocation of Burton Children’s Wards

Published 28 March 2020

The NHS is currently facing an unprecedented situation regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. University Hospitals of Derby and Burton is taking measures to maintain safe staffing levels, due to increasing numbers of NHS staff who are self-isolating, and to meet the additional demands on services.

From 1 April 2020, staff who currently work in the two children’s wards at Queen’s Hospital Burton, and all children receiving care there at that time, will move to Derbyshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Derby Hospital. While A&E services at Queen’s Hospital will remain open to both adults and children, if emergency care is needed, families are encouraged to take children to Royal Derby Hospital Children’s Emergency Department where they will receive quicker care as this is where they would be admitted if required. If travelling by ambulance, children will be taken directly to Royal Derby Hospital. The nearest car park is number 5 and people should use entrance 18.

The relocation of services is a temporary arrangement to help the Trust cope with extra pressures and demands being faced as a result of COVID-19. Royal Derby Hospital has its own children’s emergency department and, as a larger unit, has capacity to safely care for the children who would usually be treated at both sites.

Neonatal services will remain at Queen’s Hospital Burton.

Krishna Kallianpur, Interim Executive Chief Nurse said: “Our priority is to continue to provide safe care for children and to do that we must maintain safe staffing levels by bringing together our experienced paediatric nurses and supporting teams.

“We are grateful to our colleagues on these wards who are rightly proud of the fantastic services we offer to Burton and surrounding areas. We really appreciate them being flexible as we do the right thing to keep our patients safe.”

The interim arrangement will be reviewed in three months when we have a better idea of the evolving situation and services will move back to Queen’s Hospital as soon as it’s safe to do so.

The Trust is writing to parents and carers of all children who are open access patients to let them know about the temporary arrangements.

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