Dr Helen FARDY

Lead ClinicianPaediatric Intensive Care UnitUniversity Hospital of Wales,

Cardiff

Regional PICU response

In preparing for a flu pandemic

Background

• Service established in 99/00• Service Configuration• The NHS in Wales

Perseverance and

determination

Unit response

• Increase capacity from 7 to 15 beds

• Beds• Equipment• Staff

“In house” challenges

• Personal protective equipment• Corporate direction and

ownership• Delayed and late authorization

Communication problems

The Network

Regional Education and Training

• Regional education and development nurse

• Paediatric life support “roadshow”• Stabilisation study days• Ad hoc sessions • Medical and nursing secondments• WEBSITE www.cardiffpicu.com

Current Situation

• DGH teams manage children well prior to retrieval

• Can be personnel dependant• Uptake of training patchy• Challenge of vast and rapidly

changing workforce

Preparing the Region

• Enhance document DOH 2006• WAG flu committee early 2007• No action• Winter 2008-raised at informal

network• Link into SEWCCN (adult

early2009)

Preparing the Region

• Information directly to DGH link consultants and nursing staff, May 2009

•“Surge”•Enhance•Regional plan•Action Points

Response

Silence!

3 month delay in asking for training sessions and

secondments

Challenges

• Lack of Managed Clinical Network• Staff being released for training• Limited personnel at lead centre to

provide training• NMC guidance• Clarity on legal issues

Extremely time consuming

ARE WE PREPARED?