Great Western Hospital: New Children's Emergency Unit opens

The Children's Emergency Unit (CEU) opened its doors for the first time at 8am on Wednesday, November 6, just one month after building work was completed.

Young people from across the town have contributed their ideas to the design, which features 13 cubicles, two high acuity bays, one resuscitation room, a baby and breastfeeding room, a sensory play room, and a wellbeing room.

Staff now say they hope the new unit will improve urgent and emergency care for under-18s by bringing together children’s emergency care with paediatric assessment.

It's also aimed at helping neurodivergent children and young patients experiencing mental health struggles have a calmer experience at the hospital, with specific areas to cater to their needs.

Swindon's new Children's Emergency Unit is ready to help (Image: GWH) The construction of the building was officially completed on Tuesday, October 1, and children from Shaw Ridge Primary School celebrated with NHS staff in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Celebrating the opening of the site one month later, a spokesperson for GWH said: "A huge well done to the team working in paediatric emergency care, and on the Paediatric Assessment Unit, alongside the wider Integrated Front Door project team for all your hard work to develop this incredible new CEU.

"Our thanks also go out to all our project partners, including our builders IHP and Serco, who helped create this new, modern space for our youngest patients."

Reacting to the new CEU, one resident in Swindon declared it a "much needed service" while others praised NHS staff for their "relentless dedication and care."

Shaw Ridge Primary School pupils celebrating the construction of the building in October (Image: GWH) "A few of you lovely ladies looked after my daughter last month and you were amazing," said one Swindon mother.

"I couldn't have got through it without you guys, my daughter still talks about you and she thought you was all so lovely!"

This new CEU development is part of a programme of works investing into Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

In September 2024, the £33.5 million expansion of Swindon's urgent and emergency care centre opened to the public after five months of construction.

The 1,492sq m extension was the biggest-ever investment into the GWH site and is 60 per cent larger than the old A&E to help cope with increasing demand and Swindon’s growing population.

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