Southampton Children’s Hospital has now reopened its paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after a £1.5 million refurbishment. The 475m² expanded facility now features five state-of-the-art isolation cubicles, which will be used to treat the South of England’s most critically ill children.

Enhanced infection prevention measures continue to be a priority post-Covid and are a key aspect of the project. Among the developments are a new ventilation system, and the installation of aluminium screens, motorised blinds, and new flooring. The unit also now benefits from integrated hand-wash stations, and each cubicle is fitted with double-glazed aluminium doors.

Around 800 children are treated in the unit every year, with severe life-threatening conditions ranging from serious infections to injuries from major accidents.

The expanded PICU now means life-saving treatment can be delivered under one roof, with new specialist equipment sitting within the unit to enhance the speed at which treatment and care can be given. This includes a double-isolation cubicle, featuring a new piece of kit known as the Getinge Moduevo Bridge – a space-saving unit that houses medical supplies for nurse stations, monitors, and ventilation machines. The Bridge is fixed to the ceiling and covers each bedside area, freeing up floor space to store equipment, keep cables off the floor, and improve access to patients.

The extra space enables up to two patients to be treated in the room at any one time, such as patients with the same infections who need to be isolated, or even family members. This streamlines workflow and improves efficiency and productivity, says University Hospital Southampton, which adds that the room can also be turned into an emergency operating theatre at speed when required. 

One such circumstance is when patients require extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a lifesaving treatment to support babies and children with severe heart or lung failure, as seen with Covid. To support this expanded service, the Friends of PICU charity has purchased a new ECMO machine for the unit.

Freya Pearson, deputy chief medical officer at University Hospital Southampton, said: “We’re already leading the way in delivering world-class care including cardiac, neurological, spinal and neonatal surgery, as well as major trauma treatment. This refurbishment and the first-class facilities it brings with it will enable us to continue to deliver the highest standards of care and ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

As well as the new infrastructure, the unit has also taken delivery of a new central monitoring system and more specialist medical equipment.

Charitable support

The project was partly funded with the help of charities Friends of PICU, the Murray Parish Trust, and Southampton Hospitals Charity.

Kerry Houghton, operations manager at Friends of PICU, said: “Friends of PICU are absolutely thrilled to have made such a valuable contribution to the renovation of the paediatric intensive care unit.

“The addition of the cubicle lighting, ceiling and wall picture tiles improves the environment, the central monitoring system enhances care, and the ECMO machine improves this new service – all things we’re delighted to help with. This support by the charity has only been possible owing to the incredible donations we receive from our wonderful supporters, and we’re so very grateful to everyone.”

Sarah Parish and Jim Murray, of the Murray Parish Trust, said: “PICU is a unique critical care environment, as each patient has an accompanying parent, who is not only being exposed to a highly stressful and emotional time but is also at risk of contracting and transmitting infections to both their child and other patients and families on the ward.”

The new isolation rooms, they explained, will reduce the risk of infection for both parents and children, and give them much-needed privacy.

Ellis Banfield, director of Southampton Hospitals Charity, reflected: “As the hospital charity, one of our key aims is to enhance the hospital environment for patients and their families, and we’re proud to have contributed to this important and vital project. We understand how hard it is for parents to be in the PICU, and we hope that the transformation of the unit makes the time spent with their loved ones that much more calming and comfortable.”