There is increasing demand for beds in ICUs and paediatric ICUs (PICUs). This may be due in part to increased survival from premature birth. The increase in demand on PICUs is leading to an overspill of older children into adult ICUs.

Proposed workforce impact

• ICM trainees will need to learn more paediatric work.
• There may also be a problem from reduced availability of beds for adults.

Sources or references

• www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20755256
• www.aagbi.org/sites/default/files/Managing%20critically%20ill%20children%20in%20pandemics%20and%20infection%20surges%2015DEC2012.pdf
• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22764092  

 

Additional research questions

• How does this affect adult service provision if there is competition for beds? Does this cause further demand in the long term through inadequate care in the short term?
• Will a reduction in unnecessary admission to hospital offset the increased demand for child services?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.