Running a small paediatric unit

This article aims to provide information to aid a clinical lead successfully run a small unit. In doing so we illustrate the particular challenges that smalls units have faced over the last 10 years, but also, hopefully, communicate that working in such a unit can be both rewarding and fun. The national agendas important to every unit such as NSF requirements, 'Every Child Matters', child protection, education and training, and working time have been dealt with in detail elsewhere, and are only alluded to where specifically relevant. The areas covered in this article will include: maintaining standards; staffing; teaching and training; public health; advocating for children.