Evelina London's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit showcased by The Guardian

Three-month-old Zachary was born with a complex heart condition

A film about the work of Evelina London’s Intensive Care Unit has been launched online by The Guardian as part of a month-long focus on the NHS.

Journalists from The Guardian came to find out more about the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (known as PICU) at Evelina London Children’s Hospital in January. They spent time with staff and families to understand how the unit works and the impact it has on the lives of patients and their families.

The film features the story of three-month-old Zachary, who was born with a complex heart condition which meant he needed to have heart surgery. Zachary is just one example of over 1,200 children treated in PICU each year.

Evelina London doctors and nurses also share their experiences of working in PICU in the film. Play specialist Jane Sivyer explains how staff help to put children and families at ease.

Jane explains how she introduced a patient diary for children and families to write messages and record experiences whilst in hospital. Now used nationally, the diaries help children to remember their experiences to aid with their recovery.

The film also explains Evelina London’s role in the South Thames Retrieval Service – a specialist ambulance service which transports critically ill children from across the south east to intensive care units in London.

You can view the film on The Guardian website.