Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

The PICU provides state-of-the-art intensive care services to critically ill, children and young people across Northern NSW. The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is a dedicated eight-bed unit, consisting of six individual intensive care rooms, along with two isolation rooms.

This highly specialised unit is staffed by paediatric intensivists and nursing staff trained in paediatric intensive care, who deliver services to children and young people with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions and to those who have sustained a major trauma.

Doctors from across the Children’s Hospital, along with a number of Allied Health staff, including music therapy, will also contribute to the care of children and young people admitted to the PICU.

In addition to the clinical space, two parent accommodation rooms are available for short term use when families unexpectedly arrive with their child to paediatric intensive care, along with a family room and kitchenette.

Family-centred care

Having a child in intensive care quickly alters the lives of families, which is why we adopt a family-centred partnership in care. Parental presence, involvement in care giving, along with open communication between staff and parents are all part of our family-centred care.

Families/carers can expect that the best interest of their child will be paramount, ensuring the families views will be heard and taken seriously, along with a family’s individual characteristics and beliefs, including privacy will be respected.

Families can also expect to participate in decision-making to support high quality clinical care.

Contact and location

John Hunter Main Switch
Ph: (02)49 213000
PICU is located on Level 3 of the hospital (map)