Area specific guidance for Islington

Temporary changes to paediatric emergency services in NCL

To ensure the NHS can continue to deliver the best emergency and planned care across North Central London during the winter and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, temporary changes to services for children and young people have been implemented this week.
The changes follow a review of children and young people’s health services across north central London. 
 
The changes include the temporary closure of the children and young people’s emergency departments at the Royal Free Hospital and University College London Hospital (UCLH). The Whittington Hospital and North Middlesex University Hospital children’s emergency departments have been expanded to meet demand. Barnet Hospital children’s emergency department has also reopened following a temporary closure.
More information about these temporary changes can be found on the North London Partners website. 

We have also addressed some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) from local GPs. 

These temporary arrangements will allow the NHS to focus resources and ensure children and young people’s services are not subject to disruption should there be an increase in demand due to the pandemic. They have been approved by the North Central London Clinical Advisory Group as the safest way to deliver services for children and young people over the coming months.
 
Parents and carers of children and young people are asked to call NHS 111 or go online to 111.nhs.uk, so that they can be to be directed to the best service for them. Parents of children receiving ongoing or planned care will be contacted directly if there are any changes to existing arrangements.

NCL CCG has develdeveloped a series of materials to promote these changes

• Flyer 1 (A5): Does your child need urgent healthcare? Call NHS 111
• Flyer 2 (A5): Does your child need urgent healthcare? Call NHS 111
• Flyer 3 (A5): Does your child need urgent healthcare? Temporary closure of children’s A&Es at UCLH and the Royal Free Hospital
• Image for social media/website/patient newsletter (JPG):Does your child need urgent healthcare? Temporary closure of children’s A&E at UCLH and the Royal Free Hospital

For the latest updates to services, check the NCL Covid-19 website

RCGP: Community CPR in the Covid-19 world

A webinar recording is available from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) that considers how cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be conducted in a community setting by healthcare professionals.  It discusses the ethical issues of attempting CPR, the debates regarding whether CPR is an aerosol generating procedure and what PPE to wear. It shows exemplar demonstration of adult CPR and discussion of the similarities and differences for children. It also addresses how healthcare professionals can keep their skills up to date. 

To find services in London, including for urgent care, use the MiDoS© search tool