Referrals

All referral calls should be made to the dedicated WATCh and trauma line – 0300 0300 789.

Your call will be forwarded to a Call Handler who will take some basic details and connect you directly with the clinical team.

To facilitate clear communication you can print off copies of the ‘referral form’ on the right to use when referring a patient.

A decision will be made as to whether the WATCh team needs to be mobilised or whether the child can continue to be jointly managed by their referring hospital with WATCh advice.

The child will be transferred to the nearest available PICU bed in Bristol or Cardiff. If a bed is not available the WATCh team will locate and transfer the child to the nearest PICU bed out of region.  Please use the preparing for transfer checklist to facilitate a smooth and efficient stabilisation.

WATCh are commissioned to perform the repatriation of children from a PICU or HDU bed. Referrals should be made using the normal pathway, please use the preparing for repatriation checklist to guide you.