Heads, shoulders, knees and toes€ - Spire St Anthony's launches new children's service

Today, Monday 27th February, marks yet another new chapter in the long history of Spire St Anthony’s Hospital - children will once again be treated there. A newly established, yet highly experienced and dedicated team of specialist paediatric consultants, anaesthetists, nurses and physiotherapists will be treating their first group of paediatric patients.

The hospital was established in 1904 by the Sisters of the Daughters of the Cross, who treated children and their families, all funded by the patients who paid for their healthcare according to their means. Back in the early 1900s common conditions included TB and other infectious diseases. Today’s team will be offering a full range of procedures and treatments from a tonsillectomy or a variety of simple and complex orthopaedic procedures to allergy testing and more.

The service is available for patients up to 16 years of age and offers parents choice, fast access to doctors and onsite diagnostics, as well as treatment options undertaken at times to suit them and their family.

The team’s paediatric lead is Paul Truesdale, a former Paediatric Matron at St George’s NHS Foundation Trust with 18 years’ experience treating children. He explains:

“The hospital recently opened its new £30 million musculoskeletal centre and six-theatre complex. Operating theatre six is a dedicated paediatric theatre. This hospital already has a unique ethos of care instilled in everyone who works here by the Sisters of the Daughters of the Cross, but by launching the new children’s service the hospital is returning to its roots, treating children once again, but now in a thoroughly modern hospital.

“Our patients always come first, and we take a child’s safety and comfort as well as their health very seriously. This hospital provides a calm environment for children and parents ensuring we can apply our own expert knowledge with the compassion and dedication necessary for the successful treatment of patients. Children have very different needs depending on whether they are two years old or sixteen and what is the nature of their hospitalisation.   Whether a child requires a minor procedure or difficult surgery, we will look after them with the standards of care St Anthony’s is famous for, as well as provide access to our excellent new facilities.

“Our specialist paediatric consultants are considered some of the best in the country, treating children with simple to complex medical conditions. Many work at London’s leading teaching hospitals and, along with our specialist nurses, are all highly experienced in working with children. This team will support a child and their family throughout their journey at St Anthony’s. We will be available to explain everything clearly and address any questions or concerns.”

As well as being equipped with the most advanced surgical and diagnostic equipment, Spire St Anthony’s hospital offers level 3 critical care for adults, which enables both simple and complex procedures to be provided. The new paediatric service includes ENT, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic, physiotherapy, imaging and diagnostics, out patient treatments, urology, plastic surgery and thoracic surgery, beginning an exciting new phase in the hospital’s development.

To learn more or to access the paediatric service please contact stanthonyspaediatrics@spirehealthcare.com or the Paediatric nursing team on 07809206431