New children’s A&E department opens in Barnsley

The £3m unit was opened with a safe and socially distanced ribbon-cutting ceremony by hospital chief executive Dr Richard Jenkins.

The unit provides care for young patients requiring urgent help and assessments and will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dr Richard Jenkins said:“Any family needing to bring their child to hospital would naturally be concerned and families have also been worried about Covid-19 along with the risk of infection.

“Our new, more spacious facilities will provide seamless care which is child-friendly and supportive for families and carers. It means the children who arrive with injuries from accidents, infections or other conditions can be seen in a specialist area.

“The new units have space for all the teams and equipment needed. They will also let the current emergency department free up some of the space it has had to use to ensure staff and patients are safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to welcome and reassure families and hope the prospect of visiting our new dedicated unit will provide extra confidence for parents.”