Welcome to the Children’s Assessment and Treatment (CAT) Unit.
We are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our philosophy is to provide rapid, highly competent, safe and effective care to the children we see.
The CAT unit is always staffed by experienced doctors and nurses. A Paediatric Registrar is always present on the unit and a Paediatric Consultant is present during the busiest times of the day, every day, including at the weekend.
A new CAT Unit!
In 2021 we moved into a brand new CAT Unit, officially opened by HRH The Countess of Wessex. The relocated unit on Ward L37, B floor, Clarendon Wing is in close proximity of other children’s services and has been created with increased capacity to care for up to 90 patients per day at busy times.
The new unit, specifically designed for children and young people, has additional side rooms, consultation rooms, more space for play and larger waiting rooms. There is also a state-of-the-art Paediatric Urgent Management Area (PUMA).
11 year old patient Hajrah assisted HRH to officially open the new CAT Unit at a virtual ceremony.
Watch highlights from the opening ceremony:
HRH Countess of Wessex CAT Unit Virtual Opening
Welcome back because it’s a slightly different way of welcoming you back. I’ll just go into a bit of background on why this new unit was needed. Our cat unit is one of the main routes of entry for patients coming into Leeds Children’s Hospital, so this is where we assess and manage children and babies from one day of age to 16 years of age. The unit quickly outgrew its capacity, which resulted in overcrowding.
As you can imagine, with up to 90 children coming in a day, we then decided a few years ago that a change was needed and we needed a bigger, more well-designed space. Good afternoon, jolly good So you’re being well looked after. Yeah, we’re going to make slime slime. Oh my goodness, that’s your dad next sitting next to you. Is it hello there? honestly, they’ve been absolutely fantastic.
The nurses, the doctors, and the staff here—it’s impeccable service, to be honest with you; it’s very, very good, and what about the environment of the unit? How does it feel? Is it what you expected, or is it very nice, very friendly, very safe, and wonderful? Oh, who’s that good afternoon, your royal highness? I have to introduce Phoebe. It was three days off today. Oh, this is a good time. It was a little bit emotional. Congratulations; that’s what I know. She’s been really nice and really just supportive, and to be honest, I felt like royalty when I walked on. I was like, Every patient is so important.” Hello, how are you? We’re just going to do some slime. Excellent.
I do remember the slime staying in the bowl, and we’ve got gloves on as well. Aren’t we ready? We’ve got a little picture for you as well. Look at that. That’s my first Easter egg. Everything’s been great, everybody. All the staff have been fantastic, and my children well looked after them. Katie said she didn’t expect the hospital would be so fun. I’m assuming it’s the first time that you’ve been in the cat unit, so are you back at school yet? Okay, brilliant.
You’re looking forward to it kind of. Yeah, I can. Probably catching up with your friends would be nice. Thank you very much for performing that for me. That was really kind and excellent, so I think we can probably safely assume that the cat unit is fully open now. Wonderful. So is that the first time you’ve unveiled a plaque? Yeah, well, maybe you should come with me more often. You’re very good at doing it. Just actually to say a huge thank you on behalf of all of the patients and their families for everything that Leeds Hospital Trust has done to provide the care, which I know they’re so very good at doing to all of the families in and around the Leeds area.
Your visit to CAT
When you arrive
This is the area where your child is first seen after they have been referred. When you arrive on the unit you will be met by the reception staff who will take yours and your child’s details and book you into the unit.
A skilled nurse will then assess the condition of your child, complete a nursing assessment and perform initial observations. Your child will then be ‘triaged’ into a green, amber or red category depending on their observations and how unwell they are. This triage category then determines how quickly your child is seen. The most unwell children are seen first and as a priority so you might see other families, who might have arrived later, being seen before you. You may be asked to collect a urine specimen from your child or to give them a special drink whilst you are waiting to see a doctor. We aim to get every child seen by a doctor within one hour of arriving on the unit but during busy times this is not always possible and we appreciate your patience.
Assessment
Your child will then be seen by a junior doctor and sometimes by a medical student. They will ask you some questions, examine your child and may start some medicines or take blood tests. Your child will then need to be seen by a paediatric registrar or consultant. They may or may not arrange further tests or treatment and will decide on a further plan of action. This may take some time so please be patient.
The CAT unit has a waiting area for families and numerous beds where children are examined. Within the unit there is a high care area (stabilization area) called ‘PUMA’ (Paediatric Urgent Medical Assessment) where very sick children are managed and stabilized. If your child is very unwell they may be placed here. This area is also used for doing blood tests and other procedures.
Your child will have one of three outcomes:
- They may be observed for a bit longer on the unit before a final decision is made
- They may be admitted to the in-patient ward. A nurse will then take you and your child to the ward when a bed becomes available. This may take a while during busy times so please be patient
- They may be discharged home. You will be given a discharge letter and, if appropriate, a prescription for medicines for your child
Contact us
We are located within ward L37, B Floor, Clarendon wing, Leeds Children’s Hospital.
CAT Unit phone: 0113 3923789
Ward L37 phone: 0113 3927437
We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including weekends.