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Course details

All professionals involved in the acute care of paediatric patients should have a robust understanding of the signs that a child is critically ill, be able to recognise when they are deteriorating and be able to initiate management strategies that will help stabilise the patient’s clinical condition.

Building on previous experience, this course aims to equip candidates with the knowledge and skill to deliver High Dependency level care to paediatric patients with the aim of obtaining clinical stabilisation and preventing further clinical deterioration.

This may mean that children may then safely stay in their local hospitals, avoiding admission to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). If this cannot be the case, the training will allow the professionals to stabilise the patient’s condition sufficiently to allow for a safe transfer out to a PICU.

This 2-day course aims to consolidate existing knowledge and gain a structured approach to the management of paediatric patients requiring High Dependency care. 

More information

Course aims

By the end of the course, candidates should:

  • Be able to recognise the critically ill child in need of High Dependency care, and have a structured approach to stabilisation and on-going management
  • Understand the practicalities managing the compromised airway
  • Have an understanding of the management of the child in need of additional respiratory support including the safe use of oxygen, the initiation of non-invasive ventilator support and ongoing care of these patients, preparation for chest drain insertion and tracheostomy care
  • Be able to recognise and treat causes of shock, including those due to arrhythmia
  • Have a structured approach to the child with altered consciousness
  • Have an improved understanding of the referral process to PICU and be able to optimise patient care prior to onwards transfer

Who should attend?

The course is designed for paediatric doctors and allied healthcare professionals involved in the acute care of paediatric patients.

Course structure

Day 1:
The morning will focus on consolidating knowledge via interactive lectures on respiratory care, including airway management, treatment of the child with severe asthma, pneumonia and empyema.

During the afternoon, there will be simulated sessions on respiratory management and workshops on the use of chest drains, tracheostomy care and non-invasive ventilation. 

Day 2:
The morning will focus on consolidating knowledge via interactive lectures on the child with haemodynamic shock, management of arrhythmias, the child with reduced consciousness, and stabilisation and preparation for transfer of children requiring PIC.

During the afternoon, there will be simulated sessions on haemodynamic shock, arrhythmias, raised intracranial pressure with a focus for each scenario on stabilisation and preparation for transfer to a PIC unit.

Course methods

The course uses a variety of teaching methods for an enhanced candidate experience, including:

  • Interactive lectures
  • Case discussions
  • High-fidelity simulation
  • Demonstrations
  • Practical workshops