James Cook University Hospital became a paediatric major trauma centre in 2012 and is one of sixteen children’s major trauma centres in the UK. This means that this hospital has doctors and nurses with expertise in looking after children with significant injuries.
This leaflet will describe what will happen when your child is admitted to hospital with a significant injury and who will be involved in your child’s care.
What we do
If your child has experienced a major trauma the ambulance service will bring your child to James Cook University Hospital rather than other local hospitals. Causes of major trauma might include road traffic incidents, falls or burns.
Once your child has arrived in Emergency Department (ED) they will be assessed by our designated Trauma Team and stabilised. The team is made up of ED Doctors, ED Nurses, Surgeons, Anaesthetists and Paediatricians. Any tests that are needed are carried out, including X-rays, CT scans and blood tests.
The type of injury(s) that your child has sustained will determine which speciality cares for your child and where they may be managed. In specific circumstances, once stabilised your child may need transfer to another specialist hospital. The Children and Young Person’s team are also usually involved to oversee and help co-ordinate care.
Your child will then be moved from the Emergency Department to either theatre for surgery or to one of the Paediatric wards (Paediatric critical care unit, ward 21 or ward 22) for definitive or on-going care.
Rehabilitation
Once admitted to the Paediatric ward your child will continue to receive input from the specialty teams involved in their care. This will include regular reviews on the ward and treatment and rehabilitation provided by the nurses and doctors and members of the therapy teams if required. This can include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy.
Experiencing trauma can have a significant impact on both the child concerned and their family. It is not unusual for a child to be anxious or distressed or show a change in behaviour. Psychological support will be provided if needed for your child whilst on the ward and after discharge.
Your child will have a rehabilitation prescription completed which highlights your child’s injuries, treatments and therapy needs. This document will be discussed with yourself and shared with all those involved in your child’s care.
Rehabilitation aims to:
- Reduce any difficulties your child may have after their injury
- Help your child increase movement and strength
- Support your child to return to their usual activities following a trauma injury
- Successful reintegration to school.
The inpatient rehabilitation and subsequent aftercare once discharged home will be organised and managed by the ward therapy team. They will help coordinate the future rehabilitation plan, through shared decision making with the family and child and will act as a point of contact while in hospital.
If you have any concerns or questions during your child’s stay in hospital you can talk to the doctors, nurses or ward therapists involved in their care.
Discharge home
Whilst your child is in hospital, we will be making plans to get them home as soon as they are well enough. Once ready for discharge, we will ensure that they have further follow up from the medical teams involved in their care as required and are referred to the appropriate community services.
Contact us
For further information please contact us:
Ward 22: Telephone: 01642 854522
Availability: 08:30 until 16:30
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]
The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
