UCLH has one of the most extensive portfolios of services for young people in the UK.

The specialist young people’s teams at UCLH believe that all young people should have access to age and developmentally appropriate services, which are responsive to their specific needs as they grow into adulthood.

Our teams are specially trained to care for 13-18 year olds and have over 25 years of experience. In addition, we are using our wealth of experience to pioneer research in this age group. 

We have a dedicated ward for 13 to 18 year olds which offers specialist inpatient and day care as well as a dedicated outpatient department. There is a hi-tech learning space on the ward in addition to outstanding recreational facilities in both the ward and outpatients. 

We are unique in offering young people access to holistic care from an extensive multidisciplinary team. This specialist team includes physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, social workers, youth support coordinators, teachers, specialist nurses, and a young people’s psychological health team

Service management

Address

Children and young people's specialist services
University College Hospital

Inpatients:
T11 (under 12-year-olds) and T12 (13- to 18-year-olds)
235 Euston Road
London, NW1 2BU

Outpatients:
Lower Ground Floor
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing
235 Euston Road
London, NW1 2BU

Other referral information

GPs please submit referrals via e-referrals.

Referral address

Children and young people's specialist services
UCLH Referrals Centre 
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
Ground Floor North 
250 Euston Road 
London, NW1 2PG 

We have clinicians who specialise in the following clinical areas:

  • Weight management
  • Treatment and Rehabilitaiton of Complex Conditions (TRACCS)
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
  • Medically unexplained symptoms
  • Rheumatology 
  • Urology 
  • Gender Incongruence
  • Endocrinology
  • Diabetes
  • Gastroenterology
  • General services
  • Sickle Cell
  • Allergy
  • Post-Covid Syndrome (Long Covid)  

We see approximately 1,250 patients in our outpatients department. Our current waiting time is approximately eight weeks for an outpatient appointment. 

The Adolescent Unit 

The Adolescent Unit aims to make the young person’s hospital journey as positive as possible, and recognises that each individual is unique with varying needs. 

All patients receive the support of an expert multidisciplinary team (MDT). The team meet weekly to ensure regular communication between team members and support a holistic approach to patient care. 

The multidisciplinary team consists of:

  • Medical teams – We have clinicians who specialise in treating a wide variety of conditions for teenagers 
  • Nursing teams – All of our nurses are specially trained to care for 13-18 year olds. In addition we have an adolescent clinical nurse specialist who provides trust-wide specialist nursing advice for the general adolescent population. This includes staff training and teaching, nurse-led clinics, psycho-social support, parental support and guidance, patient advocacy and acting as the main point of contact for all young people across the trust. 
  • Youth Support Coordinators – their role enables young people to cope better with their condition by offering them choice and control, and building their self esteem. Well-equipped recreational areas also provide a valuable space to meet other patients undergoing similar treatment, this plays a vital role in facilitating peer support. 
  • The Learning Space – for long term patients staying on the ward a teacher is attached to the service and coordinates study with the patient’s school, where applicable. 
  • Psychological support – is provided before, during and after treatment in response to the patients’ needs and requests. Work takes place with patients and their parents to help them understand and support the issues raised for them by their condition and its treatment. 
  • Physiotherapy – patients who require physiotherapy have an individualised programme designed to help improve mobility, muscle strength and stamina. 
  • Occupational therapy – support allows patients to improve their quality of life by a mixture of group and individual work around sleep, personal care, functional and pyscho-social skills.
  • Nutritional support – our dietician assesses nutritional needs of patients and advises them on how best these can be meet. 
  • Social care – A senior social worker is based on the young people’s unit who is employed by University College Hospital to support young people and their families. This can include supporting communication between the patient’s family and the medical and nursing staff, benefits advice, housing advice and support with family or social problems. 

     


Patient testimonials

"Having the support and the ability to ask any queries and to be spoken to like an adult through the hard times. Extremely friendly staff thank you"

"Amazing views, good company. Friendly and helpful nurses"