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Fantastic care on the children’s ward

Posted By aprilmm43

"Fantastic care on the children’s ward"

About: North Devon District Hospital / Accident and emergency North Devon District Hospital / Paediatrics

(as a parent/guardian),

Our son took ill whilst on holiday in the area and 111 sent us up to the hospital. A&E was very busy but we liked the privacy of the children’s waiting room but this could do with a freshen up with some more toys. The nurses were all very lovely despite being very busy.

When we got up to the children’s we had incredible care. Nurse Jess went over and above to reassure us all and provide a lovely environment for our whole family, making sure we were all fed and watered and even bought toys and colouring to not only distract our son but our daughter too. She had the loveliest manner and was positive and caring light in a very stressful time. She may it an exciting time for our son with how she did his observations and measurements and he was not scared as he felt like it was a game. The kids love their teddies and the special touch of their personalised teddy wristbands!

We were kept up to date with any delays and Doctor Temu was fantastic and thorough in her assessment and explanation to us.

Your child being unwell is horrible at any time but especially so when you’re away from home but we couldn’t thank the hospital enough for the fantastic care provided!

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Responses

Response from Sophie Hutchings, Governance and Operational Support Manager (Northern Services), Emergency Department (Northern Services), Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 weeks ago
We are preparing to make a change
Sophie Hutchings
Governance and Operational Support Manager (Northern Services), Emergency Department (Northern Services),
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 02/07/2025 at 10:23
Published on Care Opinion at 12:35

Dear aprilmm43,

Thank you for taking the time to provide your wonderful feedback. I will ensure that the wider ED team get to see your comments.

I echo your feedback in regards to our children's waiting room area. Myself and our Matron have recently been up to Caroline Thorpe Ward to look at their facilities within their treatment room and their play room. I have reached out following your feedback to the play therapists in order for us to get some further tips and ideas around safe and appropriate toys which we can obtain for this area and also ideas around freshening up the space. Caroline Thorpe have a wonderful under the water themed treatment room and I would love to get some of those facilities within our Emergency Department.

I hope that in the near future there will be some improvements to the facilities within the department and thank you again for your feedback. Feedback like this is great for us to use to give more emphasis to the changes we would like to make.

Kind regards

Sophie Hutchings
ED Governance & Operational Support Manager

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Response from Jessica Appleby, Senior Paediatric Staff Nurse (Northern Services), Caroline Thorpe Ward (Northern Services), Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 weeks ago
Jessica Appleby
Senior Paediatric Staff Nurse (Northern Services), Caroline Thorpe Ward (Northern Services),
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 02/07/2025 at 13:15
Published on Care Opinion at 13:15

picture of Jessica Appleby

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful feedback. It truly means the world to hear that you felt supported and reassured during such a stressful and unexpected time.

It was a real pleasure looking after your little one, and your whole family. I’m so glad I could help make things a bit less scary and even a little bit fun for your son, and that your daughter also felt included. It’s lovely to know the teddies and their wristbands brought some comfort too! As children's nurses holistic family-centred care is at the forefront of our care.

We understand how difficult it is when a child is unwell, especially when you’re away from home, so to hear that you felt cared for and informed really means a lot to all of us. I’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Dr. Temi and the rest of the team, they’ll be so pleased to hear it.

We’re also grateful for your comments about the children’s waiting area in A&E. While that area isn’t under our direct care, we look forward to working in partnership with the Emergency Department to help improve and refresh their facilities within their paediatric spaces, so your feedback is very helpful and appreciate

Wishing you and your family all the very best. I hope your son is feeling much better now and you have managed to enjoy the rest of your holiday.

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