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Children's emergency unit opens to public

Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Medical professionals - all but one in uniform - lined up in front of a hospital reception area with balloons behind them. All are smiling at the camera.Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The hospital has thanked the teams that worked on the project

A hospital trust's first emergency unit for children has been unveiled to the public.

The Children's Emergency Unit (CEU) at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon opened on Wednesday. It follows the opening of its new Emergency Department.

The CEU has 13 cubicles, two high acuity bays for more intensive monitoring, and a resuscitation bay.

Thought has been put into making patients comfortable, the trust said, with a baby and breastfeeding room, a sensory play room and a wellbeing room for younger patients in mental health crisis.

Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust A clean and empty hospital area - no people, but to the left, a sign saying 'Assessment One' with a sketch of a giraffe. In the background, a medical area with windows through to wards.Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The unit comes as part of the expansion for emergency care at the hospital

The hospital opened its new Emergency Department expansion earlier this year, which cost £33.5m. Health bosses said they hoped it would help reduce waiting times and improve patient experience.

It links with its Urgent Treatment Centre, which cost £15m and opened two years ago.

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