Children's Day Unit/Paediatric Day Unit (PDU)

The Paediatric Day Unit [PDU] is open Monday to Friday 0800 to 1800 hrs.

'One of the beds in the Day Unit'

It is a six-bed unit used for medical procedures and investigations that require the child to have the use of a bed for the day. This can include scans requiring sedation, the giving of various medicines as infusions (through a drip), and endocrine tests.

The Unit caters for children from birth up to 16 years of age (including children who started treatment for cancer before their 16th birthday).

It also houses the regional children’s oncology (cancer) and haematology (blood disorders) outpatient clinic. This group of children will be based here for all of their day-care procedures, which include having blood transfusions, chemotherapy and antibiotics, as well as their outpatient appointments. Some of these procedures will require general anaesthetics, and can be done on the unit, which reduces the need for trips to our main theatres.

As well as the six-bed bay area, the unit has a small waiting area with play facilities, and four consulting rooms.

'Toys, games and things to read in the reception area'

Meals for day patients are provided by a chef, who is based on Ward C2 (which is joined to PDU).

We have dedicated staff for the PDU, which includes a nursing and medical team, play specialists, clinic clerks, data managers and clinic assistants, who all contribute towards the care given on the unit, and who will answer any questions you may have.

For further information contact: Children's Day Unit, Children's Services, Box 51, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 257 157.