Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has taken part in a pioneering NHS England pilot to expand paediatric critical care provision, making the trust the first in Surrey to deliver Level 2 paediatric high dependency care locally.
Launched in November 2025, the four month pilot introduced a dedicated Level 2 paediatric high dependency bed, significantly strengthening the trust’s ability to care for acutely unwell children and those with complex medical needs. Until now, children requiring this level of support were routinely transferred to tertiary centres outside the county.
The pilot has been particularly transformative for families of children who rely on long term ventilation at home. Previously, these patients would have had to travel to specialist hospitals in London for equivalent care. By providing this support closer to home, the trust has reduced travel time, minimised disruption, and offered families greater stability during already challenging periods.
Over the course of the pilot, the team delivered more than three weeks’ worth of enhanced paediatric critical care (bed days) for children who would otherwise have been transferred out of Surrey. This not only freed up regional intensive care capacity for other critically ill patients, but also ensured families could remain near their support networks.
The service was delivered by the existing team, who undertook additional specialist training, creating meaningful opportunities for professional development.
With the pilot demonstrating both clinical value and operational feasibility, the trust is now working to embed the service permanently. Plans are underway to expand capacity with the aim of establishing two dedicated Level 2 paediatric critical care beds. This will require careful review of estates and infrastructure to ensure the necessary upgrades to facilities, equipment, and clinical space.
Jay Dungeni, Chief Nurse at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals said, “The project has strengthened clinical skills, boosted confidence, and enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration across paediatrics, critical care, and anaesthetics, helping to build a more integrated and resilient model of care for young patients. By investing in this service, Ashford and St Peter’s is committed to developing a future ready paediatric critical care model that meets the needs of children across Surrey, ensuring they can access high quality, specialist care close to home.”
