About the Infectious Diseases department

The Infectious Diseases team work closely with the microbiology, virology and infection control teams to provide infection-related advice throughout Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

The clinical specialty provides clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of unusual and complicated infections, congenital infections, tropical diseases and children with HIV infection and AIDS. There are also specialist clinics for children with tuberculosis, chronic viral hepatitis and PIMS-TS. Antimicrobial stewardship within the trust is also one of the main focuses of the work of the infectious diseases team.

Approximately 10 per cent of patients within GOSH are seen on ward rounds run twice weekly with representatives from microbiology, virology and infectious diseases.

Rapid assessment for infectious diseases (RAID)

RAID provides rapid access to diagnosis and treatment for children with confirmed or suspected infectious diseases (ID). Patients referred from secondary care remain under the care of a district hospital paediatric team. The patient will return to the care of the referring team or the ID team at GOSH may become the child’s lead team with shared care provided with the local team. Children referred directly from primary care or community services for rapid access review will be discharged back to the primary care team with appropriate follow up from the ID team or referral to the local paediatric team.

The service is not intended for those children with more severe illness who require immediate admission to a GOSH inpatient bed or to an Intensive Care Unit bed.