Ward boss reveals his 'privilege' at helping sick children

A ward manager believes he has one of the best jobs in the health profession as he gets to help poorly children.
Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop.Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop.
Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop.

Richard Allsop is the ward manager on F64, which is the general medical ward at Sunderland Royal Hospital for children aged from two to 16.

He spoke to the Echo to back the launch of this year’s Best of Health Awards. And he started by explaining the important role of him and his team.

Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop with team.Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop with team.
Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop with team.
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Patients, he said, would typically be children with cases such as asthma, chest infection or meningitis, as well as those who have overdosed or self-harmed.

“It is a mixture,” he said. “There are 22 beds and there could be three patients one day and 20 the next.”

He said patterns can be seasonal and the ward had just had a busy winter.

The unit has 22 nurses, four healthcare assistants, a nursery nurse and a ward clerk.

Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop with team.Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop with team.
Pediatric ward manager Richard Allsop with team.
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On any given day, there can be four qualified staff, one healthcare assistant and a nursery nurse from Monday to Friday.

“It is a privilege to look after children,” said Richard.

“Children get well quickly but it is a crisis for parents to come into hospital.

“It is wonderful for me, working with children, and it is usually a positive outcome for most cases.”

Interaction with the medical and nursing staff is another important part of the job, said Richard.

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And so is the relationship which the ward builds up with regular patients, who come back more than once.

“We have regular patients, who we see all the time and we have a rapport with them.”

Richard said it was important that he was part of an organisation where he knew he could go for assistance and help, and added: “It is a very satisfying job.”

As the Best of Health Awards get under way once more, we want to find excellence in all aspects of health care. Nominations can come from anyone who feels they know someone deserving of a trophy.

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 The more the merrier. Let’s make it really hard for the judges by inundating them with top-class submissions.

 Sponsors for this year’s awards are South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, mydentist, and NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group.

 The deadline for all nominations is Friday, April 7, and the judges will meet the following week to decide on the shortlist.

 The grand final will be held at the Quality Hotel in Boldon on Thursday, April 27.