Enter and view: KGH Paediatrics

Healthwatch North Northamptonshire undertook a series of enter and view visits to paediatric services at Kettering General Hospital, incorporating parent/carer and staff experiences across the Children’s Emergency Department (CED), Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU), Skylark Ward, Outpatients Department, and the Play Team. The aim was to identify key strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement to inform service planning, resource allocation, and strategic development.

Overall, the findings indicate a dedicated, highly skilled workforce committed to delivering child-centred, compassionate care despite ongoing operational pressures, space constraints, and resource limitations. Staff highlighted strong team cohesion, collaborative problem-solving, and professional pride, while parents and carers consistently emphasised the professionalism, empathy, and attentiveness of staff, along with the reassurance provided through effective communication. 

Training, professional development, and wellbeing support emerged as critical enablers of high-quality care, while communication, infrastructure, and service accessibility were identified as areas with potential for enhancement. The Play Team, operating across multiple wards, was recognised for its specialist contribution to emotional regulation and patient experience, highlighting opportunities for further investment in childfocused therapeutic support. 

The recommendations arising from this review focus on workforce sustainability, communication improvements, infrastructure development, training, and staff wellbeing, providing a robust framework for enhancing both patient experience and staff engagement across paediatric services