Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is based at Southampton General Hospital. 

 

Southampton is the lead centre for Paediatric Intensive Care in south central England with a catchment area that includes Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Surrey, Isle of Wight, and the Channel Islands. In addition, we often accept referrals from further afield if no PICU bed is available in that region.

Read our information for patients and families| including details of visiting arrangements and our routines.

We are currently funded for 11 beds and treat over 700 patients per year. We admit children with both medical and surgical problems ranging in age from birth to 18 years. A number of sub-specialty services are available on the unit including cardiac, neuro-, spinal and neonatal surgery as well as the full range of medical sub-specialties. We also provide a 24-hour retrieval service|.

Patients in Southampton PICU are cared for by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, specialist nurses, technicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, healthcare assistants and administrative support assistants. We have close links to many other services including psychologists and the chaplaincy. We are committed to providing family-centred care and encourage families to be an integral part of the team and present as much as they wish throughout their child’s stay.

We are accredited to provide medical and nursing training in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine (PICM). We have close links to the University of Southampton schools of Nursing and Medicine. We support a wide range of medical staff from undergraduates to specialist trainees wishing to pursue a career in PICM. Our nurse lecturer / practioner facilitates nursing student placements and staff development including running the Paediatric Critical Care course.

There is an active research and development| programme on the unit including ongoing involvement in a number of multi-centre trails.