We see children and young people up to the age of 16 years presenting with minor illness/injuries such as:

• unexplained feverish illness
• diarrhoea and vomiting
• cough, croup, wheezing and breathlessness, including asthma
• sore throat or earache
• rashes and skin problems
• accidental ingestion
• feeding difficulties, an unsettled baby or nappy rash
• tummy pains and constipation

All children are assessed by a paediatric trained nurse. Children and young people are then appropriately streamed to see the paediatric doctor or the appropriate specialty.

The Paediatric Assessment Unit accepts direct referrals from GPs, Emergency Departments and other health professionals, and allows children to be in a safe, child-friendly environment, providing holistic care for child and family. The unit also allows for periods of observation, to prevent hospital admissions, and offers children and parents’ health education prior to discharge.

Open visiting on all wards is between 10am and 8pm, 7 days a week

Visiting outside these times can be discussed with the nurse or midwife in charge. See our Visiting Policy.

Top Tips

• Please introduce yourself and tell us who you are visiting
• Feel free to help out at mealtimes
• Do not disturb nurses during medicine rounds
• When asked to leave a bay or room, please respect our request

Directions to the Paediatric Assessment Unit

The Paediatric Assessment Unit is on the fourth floor of the Tower Block at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske, Truro.

From Tower Block entrance

As you enter the Tower Block, turn left and either take the stairs, which are past the cafe on your right, or continue past the cafe until the lifts are in front of you. Take the lift or the stairs to the fourth floor.

From Trelawney Main Entrance

If you enter from the main hospital entrance, go past the cafe (on your right) and WH Smiths (on your left). Head to the end of the corridor and go down the stairs or take the lift to the ground floor. Go left and this will bring you to the Lloyds Pharmacy shop (on your left). Continue past Lloyds, right to the end of the corridor and then turn right to enter the Tower Block. Just before the Tower Block reception, take the lift or the stairs to the fourth floor.

Find out more about coming to the Royal Cornwall Hospital