In April 2020, in order to protect the quality of services for children within South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and Chesterfield, NHS England Bronze Command directed the Trusts, as an emergency measure, to move emergency children’s surgery and some high dependency children’s care into Sheffield Children’s Hospital for the duration of the pandemic. Read the details here.
Since this change was implemented, over 150 children have been successfully transferred, with feedback from patients and families referring to the good quality service they have received*.
The NHS has provided taxis for any carers who don’t have transport of their own, and none of the patients or their families who have responded have raised any concerns about having to travel to Sheffield.
South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw’s NHS leaders have now assessed and analysed all relevant data and have agreed that it is now a safe time to start to step-down the interim children’s emergency surgery pathway. This means that the District General hospitals will recommence undertaking the children’s surgery that would have taken place in their locations pre-Covid-19. The recommencement will be phased in line with the agreement of the Trusts about what services they can start to re-deliver at a given time, and to ensure safety standards can be met.
This process will be carefully managed to ensure clinical safety of all patients during the transition process.
If there are any new significant increases in Covid-19 cases in South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and Chesterfield, leaders are clear that they would consider restating the interim model.
*Here are a few comments from service users about the interim model:
- “Really smooth process. Medication was there as soon as they were due to leave. Felt overwhelmed by how lovely they all were”.
- “Outstanding staff couldn't have wished for anything better”.
- “On arrival, went straight to ward and were expected. Lovely staff, very nice environment. Felt valued and reassured”.
- “Facilities were brilliant couldn’t thank enough. General care was amazing and communication was very good”.
- “Amazing welcome, appropriate communication and child friendly. Seen straight away. Really good and welcoming made you feel at home”.