OVERVIEW
The Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) is open 24/7 and predominantly accepts patients with a referral from the GP, Health visitor, or out of hours services who require an immediate or acute assessment and possible hospital admission.
We assess patients from birth to their 16th birthday with any medical or surgical condition, although the majority of our patients attend with respiratory conditions. On occasion we accept patient over the age of 15 years if they are under the care of Paediatric Specialist within RACH and have not yet transitioned to adult services for that complaint.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR ATTEND
You will initially be seen by a nurse who will assess your child, including observations such as temperature and heart rate, as well as taking a brief history of your child and their medical or surgical complaint. Our nursing staff will give initial medications and you will then be seen by one of our doctors who will make a plan for your care.
We are a teaching hospital so you will often find student nurses and doctors around our department delivering care. They will never be left to carry out a task (such as observations) with a patient that they are not capable of doing unsupervised.
Children in PAU are either discharged home with advice/ medication etc. or admitted. The majority of our patients stay in PAU for a maximum of 24 hours before being transferred elsewhere within RACH. This time period will depend on likely length of admission and workloads with in departments.
ONWARD CARE
Some patients with chronic conditions that may deteriorate quickly are given open access to PAU meaning they can phone us directly for admission or advice about their specific condition on 01224 550309.
We keep a clear record of who has open access to the department so you will be directed back to your GP/ NHS24 if your open access period is over.
Other patients on discharge from PAU, may be given 24-48 hours of open access to contact us directly if they have questions about new medications prescribed or if their child deteriorates after discharge so we can give advice or ask them to re-attend without seeing the GP or using out of hours services such as NHS24
HOW TO FIND US-
Address- Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB252ZG
Sat Nav- AB25 2ZG
PAU can be accessed via the main entrance into the Children’s Hospital – up the steps, into the building, turn left, walk through the outpatients department and you will find our double doors on the left. Please press the buzzer for access.
Out of hours access to PAU is via the Children’s Emergency Department waiting room. The reception team will guide you to the entrance to PAU, which is through the double doors to the right of the waiting room. Please press the buzzer for access.
OUR TEAM
As an acute assessment unit, we have many visiting specialities depending on your childs needs.
Our Medical Paediatric and Surgical Paediatric Doctors work closely together to provide the best care we can to your child.
Our nursing staff work are Paediatric trained and work between the Children’s Emergency Department and Paediatric Assessment Unit alongside our Health Care Support Workers.
Our play specialist is trained in distraction techniques and can help keep your child calm and comfortable during procedures, as well as using play to explain procedures to your child where age appropriate.
You will also see other staff during your visit such as porters, domestics and our housekeeper during your visit who work hard to keep our department clean, stocked and organised.
OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
BEAT– The UK’s Eating Disorder Charity
Breathing Space– Breathing Space is a free confidential service for people in Scotland. Click the link for more info or phone 0800 83 85 87 to chat to someone.
FEAST– Support and resources for families affected by eating disorders
FEEDBACK
To provide our team with feedback about your care please do so by emailing the NHS Grampian feedback team via- gram.nhsgrampianfeedback@nhs.scot
