About our Emergency Decisions Unit (EDU)
Our Emergency Decisions Unit, or EDU, is where children and young people are assessed and/or observed after coming to our Emergency Department.
The ward is made up of two patient beds and children and young people will be treated by the Emergency Department team. Other specialty teams may also be brought in to care for your child if needed.
We see children and young people from babies up to teenagers on the ward. The EDU is a nurse-led assessment area, and your child will be seen by a doctor for a care plan to be put in place.
About our Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)
Our PAU is a short-stay ward comprising 10 patient beds and looks after children and young people referred from their GP, midwife, health visitor or the Emergency Department, who require further medical assessment. There is also a waiting room on PAU, where parents/carers may be asked to wait with their child if their bed is not quite ready.
The PAU is led by our advanced nurse practitioners with support provided by the general paediatric consultant and junior doctor team.
Patients accepted onto PAU will be able to arrive directly onto the unit between 8am-8pm, Monday-Sunday. Outside of these hours the hospital doors will be locked so patients will be advised to attend the Emergency Department and will be transferred to PAU from there.
EDU and PAU facilities
Since the majority of visits to the EDU last less than a day, there are fewer facilities on the ward compared to others. Parents/carers can still utilise the facilities available in the main atrium of our hospital building. You can find out more on our restaurants and shops page.
EDU and PAU mealtimes
The EDU does not have a dedicated ward chef, as most children are only with us here for a short period of time. Drinks and light snacks can be provided to your child during their assessment and observation, just ask one of the nursing staff there. Alternatively, you can visit the hospital restaurant or any of the other shops we have in the hospital.
EDU and PAU visiting times
There are no set visiting times in the EDU and PAU as it is not an inpatient ward. Most of the children and young people we see go home the same day. If there is a need to stay overnight, a bed will be provided for one parent/carer to stay with your child.
Infection prevention
Face masks are not required whilst parents/carers are on PAU or EDU, however if they have to wait in the waiting room, masks will be made available, and we do ask that they are worn to avoid the risk of infection. For more information, go to our visiting guidance page.