The team at the Blue Sky Centre, our ambulatory care service for children and young people at St George’s, are celebrating their first year of being open full time this month.

Since opening full time in April 2018, the centre has seen over 2,500 patients who would otherwise have been sent to our Emergency Department or admitted to one of our inpatient wards.

One of the centre’s regular patients is Nicholas Stewart (pictured right). Nicholas’ mum has been extremely grateful for the service provided by the centre and its staff.

The Blue Sky Centre provides support for Nicholas in reducing the amount of time he spends in hospital as an inpatient.

Caroline Lodge, Lead Nurse for the Blue Sky Centre, said: “Without the Blue Sky Centre, children like Nicholas would have to visit our ED and wait for treatment, so we’re delighted that we can help to improve the experience of our patients and their families.

“Thanks to the hard work of the team here, and everyone from across the Trust who has supported the opening of the centre, our first year has been a great success and we’re looking forward to celebrating the birthday.”

The Blue Sky Centre was officially opened by TV presenter and DJ Johnny Vaughan in July last year.