Paediatric intensive care (PICU)
The paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) incorporates eight intensive care beds and a two-bedded high dependency unit. The unit cares for children with life threatening conditions, including meningococcal septicaemia, pneumonia, trauma, airway problems, neurological problems and those who have undergone surgery.
Each year around 400 critically ill children are admitted. About 25 per cent come from either the emergency department or the paediatric wards at St Mary’s; the remainder are transferred from other hospitals in and around London usually by the Children’s Acute Transport Service (CATS).
The unit has excellent clinical outcomes and is highly regarded internationally for its pioneering work in the field of paediatric sepsis and respiratory failure. The unit is also intending to act as the focus for regional support for children requiring high-dependency care who are in other paediatric departments throughout west London.
COSMIC (Children of St Mary's Intensive Care), is the charity which supports the unit. It relies totally on donations to provide life-saving equipment and to fund vital research to ensure that the children in our care get the best treatment possible. For further details visit www.cosmiccharity.com.
Research
The unit has an ongoing research programme looking at the pathophysiology and management of severe sepsis in children, novel forms of respiratory support and nutrition in critically ill children. The unit regularly participates in randomised controlled clinical trials at both a national and international level.
Consultants
Location
Seventh floor
QEQM
St Mary’s Hospital
Praed Street
London W2 1NY
Tel: 020 3312 6466
Tel: 020 3312 6380
Tel: 020 3312 6077 (PA)