We know that having a child in hospital can be a stressful experience. You know your child best, and you are an essential part of their care. Our commitment is to care for your child safely and compassionately, keep you informed, involve you in decisions, and take every question or concern seriously.
You may have seen recent media coverage of an inquest into the death of a patient who was treated on the Children’s Assessment and Treatment (CAT)) Unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital in 2023. The inquest is ongoing and members of the team from Leeds Children’s Hospital are giving evidence as part of the process. Our thoughts are first and foremost with this patient’s family.
We recognise that the news coverage surrounding the inquiry may feel upsetting or frightening, particularly if your child is currently receiving treatment on the CAT Unit.
During your child’s hospital admission, if you are concerned that their condition is deteriorating or not improving as you expect, the first step you should take is to raise your concerns to the nurses and doctors involved in their care.
Martha’s Rule
If you feel that your concerns are ongoing or your child’s condition is getting worse, you can request a review from our Leeds Inpatient Outreach Nursing Service (LIONS). Parents and carers can self-refer to LIONS directly by calling: 07920 291731.
This is part of Martha’s Rule which is a national patient safety initiative.
You should also have received this information by text message when your child was admitted to hospital. If you have any questions about LIONS or Martha’s Rule please speak to a member of the team.
If you would like to talk about anything, raise or share a concern about our services, please speak to the Nurse In Charge or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) team:
Call 0113 206 6261
Email [email protected]
Call 07468 753 025 (if you are D/deaf or speech impaired)
We are here to listen and support you.
Kind regards,
Liz Evans – Clinical Director
Bridget Sutton – Head of Nursing
Jo Haigh – General Manager