Information for children

If you are coming here for the day but you don’t need to stay the night, you will come as an outpatient or a day case patient.

We will send your parents or carers a letter which will tell you what time and day to come. It will also tell you where to go at the hospital and which doctor and nurse you will meet. This letter will tell you if there is anything you need to do before your visit.

When you visit us for an appointment, you'll be an outpatient or day case patient. This means that you don't need to stay in hospital for the night.

You and your parents or carers will tell someone that you have arrived at hospital. Then you may need to wait to see a doctor, nurse or another member of staff. 

At your appointment, the nurse may:

• weigh you to see how heavy you are
• measure you to see how tall you are
• listen to your heart
• check your temperature.

You may also need some other tests. Your nurse or doctor will tell you about them.

When you see the doctor, they'll ask you and your parents or carers how you are feeling. You can ask any questions you may have. They may want to look at a part of your body that isn't working as well as it should be.

If you are coming to the hospital to stay the night, you will come as an inpatient. Your parents or carers will be sent a letter telling you what time and day to come. It will also tell you which ward you are staying on and which doctor and nurse you will meet. 

This letter will tell you what to bring with you. It will also tell you if there is anything you need to do before your visit.

If you are going to be staying in hospital overnight there are some things you will need to bring with you.

Here are some of the things you should bring with you:

• medications: medicines and other things prescribed to you by a doctor
• a dressing gown and slippers
• comfortable clothing - always best to bring a few sets
• toiletries
• a book you are reading
• tablet or laptop if you have one, we have WiFi! They should be clearly labelled with your name, and you will need to take responsibility for these items.
• school work
• food and drink if you have special dietary restrictions
• pyjamas or nightie
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• shampoo and soap
• hairbrush or comb
• your favourite teddy or toy

During your stay, you may need to see doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.

Everyone you meet will tell you who they are and what they do.

When you arrive, a nurse will show you where to go and tell you what will be happening that day. You can ask any questions you may have.

You might have your own room or you might share a small area with other children like you.

You will have a bed with a cupboard next to it to keep your things in. The bed will have curtains that you can pull round if you want to have some time alone. We will ask you to keep the curtains open at night, so that we can see that you are ok.

At your bed you will also have a light and a special button to press if you need the nurse to come and help you.

Your parents or carers can stay with you at any time during the day and one of your parents or carers can stay overnight with you. Other friends and family can visit between 10am - 8pm (2 visitors at a time).

Close to your bed, there will be a toilet and a bathroom. There is also a play area on the ward. During the week, there will be a play specialist in the play area. We also have an outdoor play area that you can use.

All the doctors and nurses are specially trained to care for children just like you.

Never be afraid to ask questions or tell us if there is anything you don’t understand. Some medical words are tricky. The doctor or nurse can explain things in a different way, draw you a picture or show you some more information in a leaflet.

Ask your parent or carer to keep a list of questions that you want to ask next time the doctor comes round. You could also ask the play specialist to show you what will happen when you have a test or scan.

Top tip: Keep a notepad and pen handy. Jot down your questions or draw a picture, so that you can show the doctor.

If you’re afraid of needles, worried about having a scan or scared of taking medicine, let your doctor or nurse know. Lots of children, and grown-ups, feel just like you.

Our play specialists are great at helping you to understand what will happen. They can also think of lots of fun things to do to help take your mind off things.

If you’re worried about taking your medicine, have a chat with your nurse. They will tell you if you can eat or drink with your medicine. They could even get you a glass of your favourite drink to take the taste away.

Top tip: Have your favourite book handy to help take your mind off things.

Things at hospital may be a bit different to home. Getting into a bedtime routine can help you to sleep better.

Try to get ready for bed at the same time each evening. Have a wash, change into your pyjamas, brush your teeth and settle down with a good book.

Top tip: Bring your favourite toy or teddy to cuddle up to at bedtime.

Hospital can feel a bit different to home - strange noises and smells, different food and unfamiliar faces. It’s very normal to find hospital a bit strange and to feel scared or upset.

Try talking to your parents or carers about how you feel. You can also talk to your nurse or doctor. We may be able to help you meet other children like you to talk to about how you feel. Our play specialists could come to visit you and help you with how you feel.

You can also bring some of your favourite things in from home, like:

• a blanket or toy that smells of home
• a book that makes you smile
• a few of your favourite snacks