Your child’s admission letter tells you where to go when you arrive at the hospital. Please follow the signs and symbols in the hospital to find where you need to go.
When you arrive:
- give all your child's medicines to the nurse
- tell the nurse if your child has any allergies or side effects to any medicine.
Your child may be seen by the consultant or another doctor. A consultant will monitor your child's care throughout their stay.
One parent/carer can stay with your child at any time. There are folding beds next to your child's bed or a parents' room may be available.
Lots of parents have to work or have responsibilities at home that mean they can't stay with their child in hospital. You can call your child direct, and your child's nurse can help him/her to phone you so that you can keep in touch.
There is a bedside cupboard for your personal possessions. There is no lock and we do not recommend using it for valuable items.
As storage space is limited, please do not bring bulky objects as this can clutter the ward areas.
We welcome visitors and the involvement of carers. It can also relieve the pressure on you if family and friends visit or stay with your child.
Visitors are limited to two at a time, in addition to parents. Siblings and other children need to be supervised at all times.
You can visit your child at any time, but other visitors should check the visiting hours with ward staff. This is to make sure your child gets enough rest.
More information for visitors
Your child will be served a meal three times a day. They will be able to choose their breakfast from a trolley, and their lunch and supper from a menu.
Please tell the nurse or housekeeper about any special dietary requirements.
You can use the bedside telephone for a fee. There are also pay phones in most ward areas
Mobile telephones should not be used in certain areas, so please check with staff before you use your phone.
Family and friends are welcome to write to your child in hospital. Please ask them to write the letter or card with your child's full name and the name of the ward. Address details can be found in our ward directory.
Smoking is not permitted in any hospital building or in any of the surrounding areas. We ask all patients and visitors to go off site to smoke.
