Dr Jan Dudley, registrar of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, visited paediatric and neonatal units at Ulster Hospital. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust hosted the tour to provide insight into local services for children and young people.

Dr Dudley inspected the Children’s Outpatients Unit, Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit, inpatient wards, Day Procedure Unit and Neonatal Unit. She met clinical teams and examined services across the trust area. Colleagues from the college accompanied her.

Kieran Quinn, assistant director of acute paediatrics and clinical support services, Dr Karen Courtenay, associate clinical director for paediatrics, and Dr Naomi Kirk, consultant paediatrician, welcomed Dr Dudley.

The visit focused on paediatric services in Northern Ireland, frontline challenges and potential college support for high-quality care. Dr Dudley noted the value of observing local efforts and addressing UK-wide issues.

Kieran Quinn highlighted the teams' commitment to children, who form 25 percent of the population, and the need for advocacy. Dr Courtenay pointed to opportunities to showcase achievements and obstacles in the region.