Important information for your child’s admission

We believe and research has shown that being truthful with your child whatever their age benefits them throughout their hospital stay. We advise that you discuss the admission with your child prior to arrival at the RNOH. If they have fears or worries we are happy for you to ring to arrange a visit to the ward before admission and/or spend some time with our Play Team.

When you arrive on the ward there may not be a bed available immediately. If this is the case you will be asked to wait in the day room until one becomes available.

On admission for surgery, please go directly to Coxen ward on the 1st floor of The Stanmore Building.

Unless otherwise requested the ward may offer mixed sex accommodation. For many children and young people, clinical need, age and stage of development may take precedence over gender consideration. There is evidence that many young people find great comfort from sharing with others of their own age and that often outweighs their concerns about mixed sex rooms. Flexibility and exceptions on this may be considered for reasons such as religion. We recognise that privacy and dignity is an important aspect of care for children and young people. The child/young person’s preference will be sought, recorded and where possible respected.

Please ensure that you bring your child’s medication with you on admission. You will be given this back when you go home but it enables us to continue any medication your child has throughout their admission if it is a drug we do not have in the hospital. You may be asked to take your child’s medications home once it has been reviewed. You will be advised of this by the ward pharmacist.

If your child is on any medication prior to admission please ensure that you arrange a repeat prescription before you come in.

Your child should continue with their immunisation schedule as planned. If your child is having a flu vaccine this should not been given in the week before surgery.

You may not be aware but only someone with parental responsibility for a child can sign the consent form for your child. Not all parents have parental responsibility. The following people do have parental responsibility:

• All biological mothers

• Fathers who were married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth

• Fathers who have been registered on the child’s birth certificate

• Any one given parental responsibility by a court of law.

All children and young people over the age of 16 years old should sign their own consent form, if they have the capacity to do so. If a child over 16 is unable to do this an alternative consent process will be used. We encourage parents to be part of the discussion and consent process.

Please ensure that someone with parental responsibility attends with your child. If you have any concerns with this, please contact Paediatric Pre-admission on 020 8909 5630.

Please bring your child’s red book (health visiting book) with you so we can ensure it is updated.

We ask all female patients who are 12 and over to provide a urine sample for pregnancy testing in line with the Trust policy.

If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

For young children and babies one parent may stay on the ward overnight– pull out beds are available for all bed spaces on Coxen ward and in the Children’s High Dependency Unit (CHDU).

The ward has a kitchen available for parents to use with a kettle, microwave, toaster and fridge-freezer (please note: there is no cooker). Tea, coffee, milk and bread are supplied for parents use only.

Patient food must not be cooked there and it is not for visitors use. There is a canteen on site.

We have accommodation on site which allows one parent or carer to stay, with bathroom and kitchen facilities. We encourage you to use this when both parents want to be with the child during admission.

For more information contact the Accommodation Department between 09.00 and 16.00 (Monday to Friday) on 020 8909 5872.

Parents are welcome throughout the day. We ask you to arrange other visitors to come after school hours and for the comfort of your child and other patients we request no more than two visitors at any one time.

Visiting for all non-parents ends at 20:00.

Access to the ward is via a security buzzer and ward staff will allow entry to the ward. We are unable to provide parents with an access card to the ward.

Nightclothes, dressing gown, slippers, tracksuits, underwear and other loose fitting clothes are most suitable. Don’t forget toiletries and toothbrushes! Please bring in nappies and formula milk for babies as we do not provide these.

Some patients have found it helpful to bring in their own eye mask and ear plugs.

You are welcome to bring in your own tablet or mobile phone for use with headphones. Please keep your phone on silent/vibrate at all times for the consideration of other patients. Please be aware that the hospital does not take responsibility for the loss or damage of any valuables you bring with you.

We have a ward-based tuition unit which aims to provide schooling for all children over the age of 8 who are admitted for more than two nights. The school teachers are experienced in providing an enriching and enjoyable experience for all our pupils that aims to ensure normality through education and help prevent anxiety about school work whilst absent from school.

Many schools will provide work for the child to undertake which our school teachers are happy to help with. Please speak to your child’s teacher regarding this.

We have a free Wi-Fi service on site. To access the service, connect to the NHS Free Wi-Fi network on your device and sign up for a free account. All bedspaces have free TV services including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and ITVx. There is a games room with board and video games as well as a pool table.

We have a hospital play team who work with all age groups including teenagers, providing play activities as well as helping to prepare children and young people for procedures or surgery.

To make anaesthesia and surgery safe, your child will not be allowed to eat or drink immediately before the operation.

• Do not give any food, formula, or milk containing products after 02:00 on the day of surgery

• Do not give any breast milk after 04:00 on the day of surgery

• Encourage your child to drink water until the time that you are asked to arrive in the hospital.

If you are unsure what you can or cannot give, please contact the Pre-Admission Department or Ward, on the numbers given below.

Pre-Admission Clinic
020 8909 5630

Coxen Ward
020 8909 5487
or 020 3947 0072