Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

About PICU

About PICUs

The PICU is a specialised area in the hospital that cares for children who are critically unwell or have life-threatening conditions. Children in the PICU need close monitoring, specialised equipment, and support for vital body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The PICU is staffed by a highly trained team of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals (e.g. pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians and occupational therapists) and support staff who work together to provide constant care and respond quickly to changes in a patient’s condition.

We understand that having a child or loved one in the PICU can be a stressful and emotional time. Our team is here not only to care for the child, but also to support you and your family. We encourage you to ask questions and speak with the care team at any time.

Our services

The John Hunter Hospital PICU provides specialised care for critically unwell children. The unit works closely with the other intensive care units, emergency departments and paediatric wards across Hunter New England Local Health District in giving advice on caring for sick kids until the child improves enough to be admitted to the local hospital or is transferred to the PICU. Occasionally, kids may need to be move to John Hunter Hospital for more intense treatment.

When this happens, specially trained retrieval teams based in Sydney, Newcastle, Belmont and Tamworth, are responsible for safely transferring these kids between hospitals. These are the same teams that respond to serious emergencies in the community, ensuring people get the care they need quickly and safely.

Our people

The PICU is staffed by dedicated teams of highly trained professionals who are committed to providing the best possible care for critically ill children and their families.

The PICU team includes paediatric intensive care doctors, specialist nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff who work together around the clock. This team has advanced training in caring for kids with serious illnesses and injuries, using the latest technology and treatments.

We understand that having a child in the PICU can be overwhelming. Our people are not only here to provide expert medical care, but also to support you through every step of the journey with compassion, clear communication, and respect.

Information for families and carers

Having a child you care about in the PICU can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to provide not only expert medical care, but also support and clear information for families during this time.

The PICU is a specialised area in the hospital where children with serious illnesses or injuries receive continuous care and close monitoring. Because of this, health professionals are present 24/7 and use advanced equipment to monitor and support vital functions like breathing, heart activity, and blood pressure.

You may see a number of machines at the bedside including monitors, IV pumps and breathing machines (ventilators). This allows the team to deliver high level care and quickly respond to any changes in the patient’s condition.

The environment in the PICU is calm but focused and may feel different from other hospital areas, due to the level of care and equipment involved. Visiting hours are flexible and immediate families are always welcome, but its best to check with staff in the unit before coming to visit. Sometimes the unit can be busy caring for multiple critically ill patients, and you may be asked to wait until a procedure is finished or ward rounds have been completed.

Children in the PICU are usually very unwell and often do not need many personal items from home. However, a small toy, blanket, or comfort item can sometimes provide comfort and reassurance in an otherwise strange time. Please check with staff before bringing anything in.

We know this is a challenging time, and we’re here to support you. Please feel free to ask questions or speak with our team as we’re committed to keeping you informed and involved in your child’s care. If you need an interpreter to help with the conversation, please let the staff know and one can be arranged.

For professionals

Our PICU is committed to fostering learning, development, and career growth for medical, nursing and allied health staff.

The PICU offers a supported education program tailored to the level of experience and professional goals of the individual. Whether you're starting your career in paediatric critical care or looking to build on existing skills, our team is here to support your development.

The PICU is an accredited training site with the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM), providing a structured training pathway and valuable clinical experience for medical trainees depending on your educational needs.

For nursing staff, the unit facilitates a Transition to Specialty Practice (TTSP) program designed to support nurses entering the critical care environment, with structured learning, clinical mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Specialist allied health professionals (pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians) are also integrated within our teams. If you're interested in joining the PICU team or learning more about the opportunities available, we encourage you to reach out to the unit directly.

Alternatively, explore current job opportunities through the Hunter New England Health Recruitment Portal.

We look forward to welcoming passionate, skilled professionals who are ready to make a difference in critical care.