Your Child's Operation on the Children's Ward

When your child attends hospital you will be asked for his or her NHS number and other information, such as your address. Please be patient with this procedure as it is to ensure our records are kept up to date and to protect your child’s safety. If you do not know his or her NHS number, please don’t worry, he or she will still receive care.

You will be invited to attend a pre-admission clinic. It is important that you bring your child to this session because it gives you and your child the opportunity to speak to the nurses and play specialists, ask questions and become familiar with the ward, all of which will help to make the experience a positive one.

You can help to prepare your child for an operation, however young, by talking about it and what they may expect. Several books are available from the library which may help to explain things for the younger child.

Your child may require regular pain relief for a while after the operation. You will need to make sure you have a supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen at home ready for when your child leaves hospital.

It is essential that your child has nothing to eat or drink, including chewing gum, before the operation.

• Nothing to eat after 2am, including sweets or chewing gum.
• Clear drinks* only after 2 am.
• We actively encourage you to give your child clear fluids up to 6.30 am.

* Please note: A clear fluid drink is one you can read a newspaper through, such as water or weak squash. Not milk, fruit juice, tea or coffee.

New guidance on fasting in children means our nurses will offer your child a weight-specific amount of water up until one hour before their operation. Please do not give your child any fluids yourself when admitted. Our staff will liaise with the theatre teams to try to provide your child water hourly following admission, until one hour before their operation.

• Light breakfast – small bowl of cereal or a piece of toast at 7am then no more food, including sweets or chewing gum.
• Clear drinks* only after 7am.
• We actively encourage you to give your child clear fluids up to 11.30 am.

* Please note: A clear fluid drink is one you can read a newspaper through, such as water or weak squash. Not milk, fruit juice, tea or coffee.

New guidance on fasting in children means our nurses will offer your child a weight-specific amount of water up until one hour before their operation. Please do not give your child any fluids yourself when admitted. Our staff will liaise with the theatre teams to try to provide your child water hourly following admission, until one hour before their operation.

• Any medicines your child is taking or using on a regular basis
• Cotton or poly-cotton pyjamas or nightdress, loose fitting with frone opening if possible or baggy T-shirt and light-weight shorts.
• Loose clothing to travel home in will be more comfortable for your child.
• Toiletries for your child.
• Any special toy or comforter your child relies on.
• Clothing, toiletries and personal items for yourself if you are to be resident with your child.

Please do not bring valuables or large amounts of money with you.
Parents are responsible for their own property.

A security system operates on the Children’s Ward via an intercom buzzer at the main ward door. Please buzz and identify yourself, the nursing staff will let you in. Report to the nurses’ station.

You will be welcomed and a member of staff will show you and your child to their allocated bed, introducing you to the nurse who will be looking after your child.

Your child will be admitted by a nurse, and the doctor and the anaesthetist will ensure your child is fit for surgery. You will be asked to sign a consent form.

By law we must obtain the written consent of a parent or guardian of the patient before any operation and some other procedures. The adult accompanying the child must have the legal right to sign the consent form (mother/ father/legal guardian). if you are unsure about Who can sign consent, please telephone before the admission date because if there is uncertainty the operation may have to be cancelled.

Staff will explain all the risks, benefits and alternatives before asking) you to sign a consent form. If you are unsure about any aspect of the proposed treatment, please ask to speak to a senior staff member.

Wristbands are used to identify hospital inpatients. When your child is in hospital it is essential that he or she is given and wears their wristband, which carries his or her name, date of birth, NHS number and hospital number. This ensures that staff can identify your child correctly and give them the right care.

Your child’s operation will be explained to them and you. One parent will be allowed (if they wish) to accompany their child to the anaesthetic room along with the nurse escort. Once your child is asleep, you will be asked to leave and the nurse will escort you back to the ward to wait for your child.

Your child will wake up in the recovery area and will be brought back to the ward by theatre nurses when ready. The nurse will explain how soon your child can have a drink and something to eat after the operation.

The surgeon may come to see you and your child before discharge home. If discharge home is on the same day as admission, the surgeon may not be able to see you until the operating list has finished, so please be patient.

If your child needs medicines or a further appointment, these will be arranged before you go home.

If there is additional or specific information you need, the nurse will explain and give it to you in leaflet form for reference once you get home.

You should arrange suitable transport home, by private car or taxi.

Public transport, such as the bus or train, must not be used.

• After your child has gone home from hospital the effects of a general anaesthetic may last for 24-48 hours, so extra care is required.
• Encourage your child to rest, to reduce possible dizziness or feelings of nausea.
• Do not allow your child to go out unaccompanied or play active games, such as riding a bike. Follow any specialist advice relevant to your child’s operation.
• Give your child regular pain relief medicine (usually paracetamol or ibuprofen) as outlined on the bottle. Further information will be given to you when your child leaves hospital.
• Your child will need some time off school or nursery following the operation and guidance will be given by medical or nursing staff.

• Car parking is available at the hospital in designated public parking areas. Please remember to bring some change as this is pay and display.
• If your child is to be in hospital for more than one night, a parking permit allowing some concessions on payment can be provided on request. To obtain your ticket you will need to ask the ward staff for a form to prove you are visiting a patient on the ward then take it to the General Office, which is near the main entrance of the hospital. Please note, this does not mean free parking, only a reduced rate for those parents having to stay longer in hospital.
• Children should continue to take regular medicines, unless told otherwise.
• All children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to sign consent for the operation.
• The Children’s Ward has an open visiting policy for parents (visiting without restriction), although only one parent can be resident with their child overnight due to lack of space. Visiting hours for all other visitors is 3 pm -5 pm daily.

If you need any further advice about bringing your child into the Children’s Ward, please do not hesitate to phone on 01206 742152.

Please raise any concerns with the ward or department you are in. Ask to speak with the ward sister, matron or department manager. If your concerns cannot be resolved or you wish to make a formal complaint, please call PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) on 0800 783 7328, pick up a PALS leaflet or visit www.esneft.nhs.uk and search for ‘PALS’.

If you or a family member has recently been in Colchester Hospital, you can tell us about your experience by searching for ‘Colchester’ on the NHS website (www.nhs.uk), by writing to the address on the back of this leaflet or by filling in a ‘Friends & Family’ questionnaire at the hospital.

The Children’s ward is located in the main block.