Norfolk hospital launches new paediatric emergency department

It's about double the size of the old facility

The opening of the ward
Author: Sian RochePublished 2nd Nov 2022

A new unit to treat young people has opened at the James Paget Hospital.

The new-look Paediatric Emergency Department launched yesterday.

It's about double the size of the old facility, and is equipped with a dedicated waiting room and more assessment cubicles, which will offer greater privacy for patients receiving treatment.

Patients visiting the facility will use the main Emergency Department entrance but will then be shown to a brightly-painted waiting room, separate to the main ED waiting area.

From there, they will be called through to the new unit which has five assessment cubicles, each with sliding doors. Also in the unit is a reception area, triage area, well-being room, two resuscitation rooms, storage space, and a clean utility area which will house an automated medication dispensing system.

The new ward

Head of Neonatal, Children and Young Person’s Service Justine Goodwin said:

“We are so excited about the opening of the new department, which is such an improvement on the facilities we have been using.

“Visiting a hospital can be a daunting prospect for our younger patients. The new department has been built with this in mind and provides more space, a quieter environment and greater privacy for patients and their families which is separate from the adult area”.

Completion of the new unit has helped the hospital’s paediatric team work towards one of their Flourish Pledges; the initiative, set up by Norfolk County Council, asks local organisations to commit to projects which help children and young people in the county to flourish.

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