ABSTRACT

The natural expectation of all parents is that their children will outlive them; that is the natural progression of life. However, that sadly does not always occur and some children do become very ill and require intensive care. The absolute need of paediatric intensive care, however, is far less in terms of numbers than adult intensive care. The majority of children are looked after in general hospitals, either in district general hospitals or in tertiary centres, but as part of a general hospital caring for both children and adults. There are relatively few isolated paediatric hospitals left in the UK, and there is much debate as to whether such isolated units should exist.