Winter pressures case studies

These examples describe a different approach, including details of the problem, the intervention and its costs and impact. They show how data-driven, systemic approaches focused on children’s care can lead to new roles and services within, alongside and beyond the ED that help to make a difference.

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Escalation strategies for winter pressures - case study

The team from the Children’s Emergency Department at Leicester Royal Infirmary describes how their department developed and adopted common strategies to use at times of escalation and major incidents.

Winter planning

Wellbeing for health professionals

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GP streaming and impact on patient flow in the ED - winter pressures case study

Dr Michael McCarron, Paediatric Emergency Medicine Grid Registrar (ST8) from Sheffield Children’s Hospital, outlines the introduction of a GP streaming model and its impact on patient flow through the emergency department.

Emergency Department

Service design

Winter planning

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Introducing point of care diagnostics - winter pressures case study

Dr John Criddle from the Evelina London Children’s Hospital describes the introduction of point of care diagnostics in the paediatric emergency department (PED) and its impact on patient flow.

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Measures to address winter pressures such as a dedicated registrar and PDU cubicles - case study

Dr Amitabh Gite, Clinical Director of Paediatrics at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, outlines measures they implemented to address winter pressures, including a second registrar at night, a paediatric decision unit, increased nursing staff and ward clerk support.

Care setting

Emergency Department

Knowledge and skills

Clinical guidelines and standards

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Satellite dispensary in the discharge lounge - winter pressures case study

Dr Keir Shiels at a district general hospital describes a measure to tackle delays in discharging patients: a satellite dispensary in a paediatric discharge lounge.

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Twilight emergency nurse practitioner - winter pressures case study

Dr Richard Burridge and Dr Michelle Jacobs from Watford General Hospital discuss the introduction of a ‘twilight’ emergency nurse practitioner shift as one part of a range of measures to manage long waits in the children’s emergency department.

Emergency Department

Service design

Winter planning

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Winter pressures and Paediatric Emergency Medicine – sharing solutions and best practice: meeting recording

On 28 September 2022, RCPCH hosted a meeting to address concerns regarding increased clinical pressures in UK Paediatric Emergency Departments ahead of winter and to share and discuss some potential solutions. Watch presentations from the meeting and an anonymised Q&A.

Area of medicine

Emergency medicine

Winter planning

Resource

Winter pressures clinic in the ED - case study

Dr Stephen Mullen, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, describes an initiative to introduce a Winter Pressures clinic in the Emergency Department.