title: Centralisation of paediatric intensive care and a 24-hour retrieval service.
abstract: This article aims to analyse the effects of the centralisation of paediatric intensive care (PIC) and the requirement for a 24-hour retrieval service, as outlined in Standards for the Care of Critically Ill Children (Paediatric Intensive Care Society, 2010). It affects staff at district general hospitals (DGHs) and has an impact on the critically ill children who present there. Although the centralisation of PIC has shown better outcomes, there have been concerns that, coupled with relocation of elective surgery to tertiary centres, it has resulted in the deskilling of staff in DGHs. The introduction of more paediatric high-dependency care units in DGHs is presented as a solution to the increased burden on the retrieval service and the deskilling of staff.
authors.affiliation: Staff Nurse, Rays of Sunshine Ward, Kings College Hospital, London.
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roussak
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D010360:Patient Transfer; D006113:United Kingdom