New children's emergency unit opens at RD&E

Young patients needing urgent medical care at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) now have a dedicated space, thanks to the official opening of the hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department (ED) area and Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU).

The child-friendly facility, designed to create a calmer and more welcoming environment, was unveiled Thursday, 13 February by 11-year-old Tim Harvey from Cranbrook.

Tim, who has complex medical conditions and has undergone more than 150 operations, helped launch the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity’s (RDHC) £200,000 fundraising appeal in December 2023.

Tim, who has raised over £2,000 towards the appeal and was named Fundraiser of the Year at the BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference Awards, was thrilled to see the finished space. “The new Children’s ED looks amazing, and I especially like the games! I can’t believe it looks just like the artists’ posters! The team did a really good job,” he said. “I hope it makes patients like me have an easier time when they come to hospital.”

The hospital charity has funded ocean-themed wall murals and light panels, interactive digital equipment, and comfortable seating with USB charging points to enhance the patient experience.

Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, praised the project, saying: “We’re delighted to see this fantastic new facility open today, making coming to hospital a little less scary for some of Devon’s youngest patients. We are grateful for the support of our communities, which helps us to fund extra special facilities like this that go beyond what the NHS can provide.”

RDHC Fundraising Manager Rose Cohen expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity, which has raised £191,600 towards the appeal. “We still have a little way to go to reach our £200,000 target, so if anyone would still like to make a donation, please visit our website or get in touch,” she added.

The new Children’s ED area is expected to provide emergency care for around 30,000 young patients each year. Gavin Best, Clinical Project Manager, said the space has transformed care for children and young people. “To have an environment that is friendly, and where children can be separated from some of the other things they might witness in a busy emergency department, is fantastic. Not only has it improved the experience for patients and their relatives, but it has also optimised the patient pathway.”

The unveiling marks the final phase of an extensive transformation of the RD&E’s Emergency Department, which began in 2022. The £200,000 appeal is part of a broader redevelopment that has seen the ED completely reshaped, including a new main entrance, ambulance bays, waiting areas, additional resuscitation bays, a bereavement suite, and an internal reconfiguration to boost capacity.

With the Children’s ED area now complete, Royal Devon Hospitals Charity is shifting its focus to fundraising for a new state-of-the-art operating theatre at the RD&E.

Those who wish to support the Super Theatre Appeal or help the charity reach its £200,000 Children’s ED Appeal target can click here for more information.