Acute Assessment Unit
About us
Having to spend time in hospital can be an anxious time for your child and you. We aim to provide the best healthcare we can so that their stay is as short and stress-free as possible.
We also work closely with your GP to ensure we recommend appropriate ongoing treatment and provide any follow-up care needed.
We care for about 5,000 patients each year, including about 2,000 inpatients. The Paediatric A&E treats about 23,000 under-16s each year.
Our medical team also lead specialist services for children with diabetes, cancer, feeding problems, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, weight problems and those who have graduated from neonatal intensive care.
The consultants host regular joint clinics with visiting specialists for children with cardiac, growth and hormone problems and neurological and renal disorders.
We also have strong links with specialist centres such as Great Ormond Street, St George’s and Evelina Children’s Hospital.
Wards and services
Sunshine Ward: A 24-bed inpatient ward, with an additional two high-dependency beds. There are no set visiting hours for parents, and facilities for those who wish to stay with their child, including a sitting room and kitchen.
Dolphin Ward: A walk-in care area open from 08.00 to 20.00 providing observations, investigations and treatment for children who do not need to be admitted as inpatients. The ward also houses our Paediatric Assessment Unit, to which patients can be referred from A&E or your GP.
Children’s Outpatients Department: General clinics and some specialist medical, nursing and therapist clinics. This is open on Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00.
Paediatric Outreach Nursing Team: Nursing care and advice for children at home, school and nursery on Monday to Friday 08.00 to 18.00 and at weekends from 08.00 to 16.00.
Paediatric Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialists: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Paediatric Oncology Nurse Specialists: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Play specialist team help with distraction and preparation for procedures on Monday to Saturday.
Momentum Children’s Charity
Momentum Children’s Charity is an independent charity supporting children with cancer and life-challenging conditions. Momentum’s Family Support Workers work alongside our paediatric team at Kingston Hospital, offering personally tailored support to the entire family both in hospital and at home. Their support includes counselling, creative therapies, family experiences and respite breaks. They also help improve the hospital environment by transforming bare, clinical areas into bright, child-friendly spaces. For more information please visit www.
The Play Team
The Play Team at Kingston Hospital can support your child when visiting Sunshine or Dolphin ward by providing play and support before and after treatments. We will provide distraction therapy during procedures such as blood tests and support throughout.
The team use age-appropriate resources to prepare children for hospital procedures and can help relieve anxieties, providing coping strategies. For the younger child there is a theatre trail with prizes for finding our safari animals.
On the ward we are lucky to have an amazing teen space where they can relax, listen to the juke box and play on the Xbox or Playstation. For the younger children we have a brilliant playroom where we organise daily play and art activities. For those that cannot attend these activities can be done by the bed space.
The team provide support to families and siblings and encourage peer friendships.
Should your child require a longer stay in hospital, The Play Team offers structured play plans to support them achieve developmental goals and minimise regression.
When you come to Sunshine or Dolphin, please ask for the Play Team and we will come and support your child in any way that we can.