Paediatrics is a dynamic, forward- thinking department. We are responsible for the secondary medical care of all children & young people under 16 years of age from across the Fylde Coast.
The department has 12 consultants working across acute and community settings with a wide range of sub-specialty interests.
The department comprises of inpatient Paediatric Wards, High Dependency beds, Children’s Assessment Unit, Children’s Outpatient clinics, Neonatal Unit and off site Child Development Centre. All are staffed by dedicated children’s trained nurses and other professionals.
Foundation Trainees
Foundation trainees are supported by both specialist trainees in paediatrics and consultants delivering continuity of care through a “hot week” system.
FY2 trainees work an 8-week roll that includes split nights. Three weeks are spent within the paediatric unit seeing new admissions in the CAU, attending ward rounds and looking after inpatients. A full week is dedicated to gaining outpatient experience, which includes tertiary specialty clinics in neurology, nephrology and cardiology. A further 2 weeks is spent in the maternity unit attending high risk deliveries, performing newborn examinations and providing care to babies on the neonatal unit.
This provides a wealth of opportunity to gain the necessary generic skills required during foundation training. There is particular emphasis on good communication skills with both children and their families. All consultants and most middle grades are trained in work–based assessment and are able to provide support and feedback.
Trainees are encouraged to do case presentations at the weekly departmental meetings and participate in audit and research.
The Paediatric Department in Blackpool is proud of it’s good reputation for training in the NW.
FY1 trainees do not work nights or weekends. The work plan provides predominant exposure to acute paediatric admissions and inpatient care. In addition there are 2 outpatient clinic sessions and 3 sessions in the maternity unit doing newborn examinations and gaining neonatal unit experience.
All Foundation trainees gain valuable generic skills and competencies in history-taking, examination, investigation and management of acute and chronic paediatric problems. Communication skills are developed through communication with both children, young adults and families.
Recognition of the seriously ill child and resuscitation skills for children and newborns are gained from the Resuscitation Council accredited PLS and NLS courses delivered within the Trust.
Further educational opportunities are provided by weekly education sessions and monthly clinical governance and radiology meetings. Participation in audit and research is actively encouraged. The department has an excellent track record of supporting FY doctors through the ST application process and into run-through paediatric training posts.
Attendance at the mandatory Foundation Teaching Programme is supported by the department.