Planning for the future: the experience of implementing a children's day assessment unit in a district general hospital

A paediatric day assessment unit was opened in May 1995. Anaudit of the first year''s activity showed that, despite an increase inemergency admissions of 8.4%, the number of children admitted as anemergency overnight was reduced by 3% in paediatrics and 7.2% insurgery. In the first year, 1731 children were assessed as an emergencyof whom 658 did not require admission to the inpatient ward. Midnightoccupancy fell 17.7 % in paediatrics and 25.4% in surgery. The nursestaffing costs fell over £32 000 in the first year. No adverse eventsoccurred during the first year of operation; this type of facilitycould lead to a more efficient use of resources in any children''s unit.