Welcome to the Children’s Assessment and Treatment (CAT) Unit.
We are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our philosophy is to provide rapid, highly competent, safe and effective care to the children we see.
The CAT unit is always staffed by experienced doctors and nurses. A Paediatric Registrar is always present on the unit and a Paediatric Consultant is present during the busiest times of the day, every day, including at the weekend.
A new CAT Unit!
In 2021 we moved into a brand new CAT Unit, officially opened by HRH The Countess of Wessex. The relocated unit on Ward L37, B floor, Clarendon Wing is in close proximity of other children’s services and has been created with increased capacity to care for up to 90 patients per day at busy times.
The new unit, specifically designed for children and young people, has additional side rooms, consultation rooms, more space for play and larger waiting rooms. There is also a state-of-the-art Paediatric Urgent Management Area (PUMA).
11 year old patient Hajrah assisted HRH to officially open the new CAT Unit at a virtual ceremony.
Watch highlights from the opening ceremony:
Your visit to CAT
When you arrive
This is the area where your child is first seen after they have been referred. When you arrive on the unit you will be met by the reception staff who will take yours and your child’s details and book you into the unit.
A skilled nurse will then assess the condition of your child, complete a nursing assessment and perform initial observations. Your child will then be ‘triaged’ into a green, amber or red category depending on their observations and how unwell they are. This triage category then determines how quickly your child is seen. The most unwell children are seen first and as a priority so you might see other families, who might have arrived later, being seen before you. You may be asked to collect a urine specimen from your child or to give them a special drink whilst you are waiting to see a doctor. We aim to get every child seen by a doctor within one hour of arriving on the unit but during busy times this is not always possible and we appreciate your patience.
Assessment
Your child will then be seen by a junior doctor and sometimes by a medical student. They will ask you some questions, examine your child and may start some medicines or take blood tests. Your child will then need to be seen by a paediatric registrar or consultant. They may or may not arrange further tests or treatment and will decide on a further plan of action. This may take some time so please be patient.
The CAT unit has a waiting area for families and numerous beds where children are examined. Within the unit there is a high care area (stabilization area) called ‘PUMA’ (Paediatric Urgent Medical Assessment) where very sick children are managed and stabilized. If your child is very unwell they may be placed here. This area is also used for doing blood tests and other procedures.
Your child will have one of three outcomes:
- They may be observed for a bit longer on the unit before a final decision is made
- They may be admitted to the in-patient ward. A nurse will then take you and your child to the ward when a bed becomes available. This may take a while during busy times so please be patient
- They may be discharged home. You will be given a discharge letter and, if appropriate, a prescription for medicines for your child
Contact us
We are located within ward L37, B Floor, Clarendon wing, Leeds Children’s Hospital.
CAT Unit phone: 0113 3923789
Ward L37 phone: 0113 3927437
We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including weekends.