Intensive Care (PICU)
Our 31-bed Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is the largest and busiest single centre PICU in the UK. In 2016 and again 2023 Quality Care Commission rated us as an outstanding unit to receive care.
Specialties
We are the lead centre for paediatric intensive care for the West Midlands and cater for 35 specialties including respiratory, cardiac, liver, general surgery, ENT, spinal, orthopaedics, metabolic, endocrine, neurology and neurosurgery.
We are also the designated paediatric major trauma centre for the West Midlands. This means we have access to all the radiological, surgical and acute care specialities that are needed to look after a child who has undergone a trauma. We are commissioned to provide Extra Corporeal Membranous Oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory and heart problems. This means children can come from much further afield to be assessed for this service.
Equipment and admissions
We have a wide range of equipment, enabling physiological system support for children throughout their stay. We are the largest provider of Continuous-Veno-Venous-Filtration (CVVH) and other types of renal replacement treatment in PICU in the country should any child require it.
We have a standalone intensive care retrieval service through Kids Intensive Care Decision & Support Service + Neonatal Trasport Service (KIDSNTS).
Local and tertiary referrals are accepted and a team is deployed to stabilise and transport children from around the region and bring them to PICU. Other admissions to PICU can come from operating theatres, ward areas and from our busy Emergency Department.
Support
We know that PICU can be a stressful place and our staff are always prepared to support parents and families during what can be a difficult time.
We have an experienced Family Liaison team, which includes play specialists, and we have access to interpreters, social workers and psychological support. We pride ourselves on our excellent critical care research and education, which includes all levels of our team from our housekeepers to nurses and consultants.
Location and facilities
The unit is located on the first floor of the Children’s Hospital. There is facilities for care givers and parents are available when admitted.
Contact details
0121 333 9656
- PIC Clinical Medical Lead: Seby Sebastian
- Operational Lead Nurse PIC: Louise Thomas
- CICU & ECLS Medical Lead: David Ellis
- CICU & ECLS Lead Nurse: Carrie Stokes
- Workforce & Education Lead Nurse: Rhiannon Myers
- PICU Administration Lead: Dawn Foster
- PICU Research & Audit Team Medical Leads (RAISE): Reinout Mildner (Research) & Matthew Harvey (Audit)
- PICU Research & Audit Team Nurse Lead: Helen Winmill
- Advanced Practitioner Programme Lead: Tracey Rowberry