Schoolchildren donned uniforms, gloves and stethoscopes to take part in an emergency scenario to mark the unveiling of a special children's accident and emergency space at the hospital.

The group of ten-year-olds from Central School had the opportunity to learn about how children are cared for in A&E.

After pretending some of their fellow pupils had been involved in a bus accident, doctors and nurses from St Richard's paediatric and A&E teams showed the budding medical children how to check the patients' x-rays and treat their cuts and bruises.

Headteacher Andrew Goff said: "They have taken their roles as doctors and nurses very seriously."

Afterwards the new unit, which is within the hospital's main accident and emergency department, was officially opened by the Countess of March and Kinrara.

The aim of the new bright and airy area is to improve children's experience of visiting hospital, with two dedicated treatment rooms and a special waiting room equipped with toys.

Lead clinician for critical care and A&E at St Richard's, Dr Amanda Wellesley, said every year the hospital's A&E department sees 55,000 patients – 25 per cent of whom are children.

"The area is exclusively for children, meaning they have a secure, calm and child-friendly area, which is secluded from the adult patients attending A&E," said Dr Wellesley.

"Whether we are downgraded or whether we stay as a major general hospital, this special area will always remain."




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