Queen Mary’s Day Surgery Unit

What we do

We carry out all types of surgery, mostly day surgery, but also some inpatient surgery for orthopaedics and general surgery. The Day Surgery Unit also carries out paediatric dental surgery when general anaesthetic is required, as this is no longer done in the community. We see children up to 16 years of age.

Where to find us

You will find the Day Surgery Unit on the third floor of Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children. You can park in St Helier Hospital car park and Queen Mary's is situated at the back of St Helier, look out for the large teddy bear on the wall! If you are coming through the main hospital please follow the yellow signs for J block – Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children.

Can we come for a visit before our appointment?

We find that a visit to the unit before their appointment helps ease anxieties in some children .You will be able to visit the day surgery unit prior to your child’s procedure if you think this would be helpful. Please call the unit to arrange an appropriate time where one of our team will be able to show you round and answer any questions that you may have. 

What can I expect?

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to contact the unit to obtain the fasting advice and answer some pre-operative questions. During this call one of our nursing team will be able to answer any questions that you may have.

On the day of your procedure your child will be shown into a playroom that will have age appropriate activities to keep your child occupied while they wait for their procedure. We also have a teenage room for the older children and a sensory room for those children with additional needs. We have a Play Specialist who works predominantly in these areas.

You will be seen by a nurse, who will weigh your child, do some observations and some paper work required for your child’s procedure. An anaesthetist will check that your child is fit enough for a general anaesthetic and will answer any questions that you may have about the anaesthetic. You will also be seen by the surgeon that will be doing the operation, to obtain written consent for the procedure and to answer any questions you may have about the surgical procedure.

The unit can get very busy at times and we ask that a maximum of two parents/guardians are with your child and no siblings when possible. We have electric cars that often the children really enjoy driving to the anaesthetic room. You can wait with your child and when the time comes, one parent can escort their child to the anaesthetic room, leaving after he or she has gone to sleep. We have electric cars that often the children really enjoy to drive down to the anaesthetic room.

Parents can then wait in the parents’ room while the surgery takes place, and rejoin their child as soon as they come out of surgery. Your child will recover from their procedure on the ward and the nurse will do observations and care for your child. The Play Specialist will ensure your child has activities to do whilst they are recovering and we may ask you to bring some snacks with you for when your child is awake.

Before you go home you will receive information post-operative advice, any follow up care needed and you will be given any medication that has been prescribed. When you are discharged you will not be able to use public transport to take your child home, so we ask that you drive, arrange for someone to collect you or get a taxi home to ensure your child’s safety following the general anaesthetic.

Our team will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. You can contact us on 020 8296 3611 or 020 8296 3046.