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About this service
In the Child Health department, we look after babies, children, and young people with a huge range of conditions and illnesses. This may be children with a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes and epilepsy, or who have had an accident or need emergency care. We also support children and young people in the community who have a significant disability or vulnerability.
We look after children from as soon as they are born, in our neonatal unit, right through to adolescence, when we help them transition to our adult services if they still need care and treatment.
Caring for children in an emergency or for an operation
Our acute care service looks after children and young people coming in for an operation or who have been admitted as an emergency.
We know waking up in hospital can be scary, so we have a number of dedicated children’s wards (Fistral and Clic, Harlyn, Polkerris and Paediatric HDU) specially set up to look after children and make their stay more comfortable. To find out more about staying at the Royal Cornwall Hospital overnight, please visit our Inpatients section, which includes information on what to bring and what to expect.
Neurodevelopmental Service
The Neurodevelopmental team works with children who are not reaching the expected developmental milestones for their age. Typically, this means their progress in areas such as language, mobility; self-care and independent living may be non-typical. We provide assessment, diagnosis and ongoing coordination of care, alongside our professional colleagues in education and social care. Our service is personalised for each child.
Children in Care Health Team
The Children in Care (CIC) health team works to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Cornwall who are in local authority care or who are placed outside of Cornwall by Cornwall Council.
Safeguarding Medical Service
The Child Community Health team provides medical support for the safeguarding of vulnerable children and young people. Our community paediatricians work closely alongside social care services and the police to provide timely medical advice, assessment and opinion to help protect the health, wellbeing and safety of children and young people.
Children’s Community Therapy Service
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Children’s Community Therapy Service (CCTS) provides an integrated therapy service for children who have physical or sensory difficulties, developmental delay, under-nutrition or excessive weight gain. We have occupational therapists, physiotherapists and dietitians who deliver therapy in children’s homes, schools and from treatment bases in Truro, Penzance, St Austell and Redruth.
Dietetic service for overweight children
Our dietitians also work with young children (6 and under) who are significantly overweight as part of the tier 3 multi-disciplinary Lifestyles, Eating & Activity for Families (LEAF) Programme. We also provide support and training for professionals working with children and families around weight management
Contact information
- Telephone: 01872 252636
Neurodevelopmental Service
Children in Care Health Team
- Telephone: 01872 254590
- Email: rch-tr.Cornwallchildrenincarehealthteam@nhs.net
Safeguarding Medical Service
- Telephone: 01872 255748
Dietetic service for overweight children
- Email: LEAF.programme@nhs.net
Where to find us
We have a number of dedicated children’s wards (Fistral and Clic, Harlyn, Polkerris and Paediatric HDU). Please visit their respective pages to find directions to them.
Patient Information (Leaflets)
Professional careers in paediatrics
Click here to find out more about careers in paediatrics, or see the Trust’s current vacancies on our careers website.
Page last reviewed: 9 May 2023
