Child and young person temporary open door hospital service

What is the temporary open door service?

It’s for children and young people who have been seen by the paediatricians and, for a set amount of time, will be seen by the paediatric team.

Temporary open door allows children and young people to re-access care without needing a referral from their GP or A&E. The aim is that your child will get timely, co-ordinated, high quality care.

The paediatricians who assess your child will decide whether to put them on open door.

When should you use the temporary open door service?

When your child becomes unwell with their specific condition/need.

For all other concerns about your child, take your child to their GP or A&E.

If your child is seriously unwell, call 999. Don’t wait to call the Children’s Emergency Department.

If you’re not sure if you should use the temporary open door service or go to your child’s GP or the main Emergency Department (A&E),  call the Children’s Emergency Department on 01296 315216.

How do we access the temporary open door service?

Children’s Emergency Department

01296 315216

24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call us, you must tell us:

• that you’re child’s on temporary open door
• their name
• date of birth
• their hospital (MRN) number if you know it.

You’ll find your child’s hospital (MRN) number on any letters you have received from the hospital.

What will the nurses or doctors tell me when I call?

They’ll give advice over the phone or ask you to bring your child to the Children’s Emergency Department .

They might tell you to call an ambulance or come to the main Emergency Department (A&E) if they think your child is at immediate risk and needs urgent assessment.

If you can’t get through to the Children’s Emergency Department, call Ward 3 (the children’s inpatient ward) on 01296 315145.

Where is the Children’s Emergency Department?

It’s at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in the Waddeson Wing next to the main Emergency Department (A&E). When you arrive please come to the main Emergency Department reception desk.

Do we need to bring anything?

Yes. Bring any medication that your child takes, as well as an overnight bag with some night clothes, toiletries, nappies and change of clothes in case of possible admission.

What happens when we arrive at the Children’s Emergency Department?

A nurse will assess your child. A paediatric doctor will then see them and make a plan about your child’s care.

Sometimes your child will just see a nurse, for example if they need a specific procedure like the insertion of a new nasogastric tube.

The Children’s Emergency Department can be very busy. We see children in order of clinical priority.

If my child needs to be admitted where will they go?

We’ll admit them to Ward 3 (the children’s inpatient ward) which is on the ground floor of the hospital.

How long will my child be on the temporary open door service?

It depends on your child’s needs on a temporary basis. As a parent or carer, we’ll involve you in any decisions about your child’s care.

Can other children in my family use the temporary open door service?

This service is just for your child who was put onto the temporary open door service.

Our paediatric team will see other children in your family following a GP referral if they become unwell.