Peace of mind
At Parkside, we know that coming into hospital is a frightening time for children and their parents, so our younger patients are treated with consideration and respect. We encourage you to contact us with any queries you may have and if you would like to look around the ward before admission, please contact the nurse in charge and she will arrange a time for you to visit.

Please be aware that if your child is under two or requires an overnight stay, he or she will be cared for on F1 - the Trust's paediatric ward. Your child's safety is paramount to us and F1 has a dedicated team of specialist paediatric nurses trained to care for very young children. You will of course be allowed to stay with your child overnight if you wish to do so. The ward staff will try to accommodate you and your child in a single room, though this may not always be possible.

Before you Arrive at the Hospital:

• Check that you have a supply of children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen at home.
• Bath or shower your child and dress them in loose, casual clothing (to avoid pressure on wounds after surgery)
• Do not give your child anything to eat or drink after the time specified on your appointment letter (doing so could cause risk of sickness after anaesthetic)

 Treatment procedures
Upon arrival, you and your child will be shown to your room. A nurse will weigh your child, take his or her temperature and make a note of any other medical details. The surgeon and anaesthetist will see all patients before operations begin, so there might be a wait on the ward – the youngest children normally go first.

Our anaesthetist will ask you whether you'd like to be in the room while your child is put under anaesthetic. The decision is entirely yours: some parents go with their child while others prefer to ask a friend or relative to accompany them.

The anaesthetic is usually given by injection to the back of the hand (following local anaesthetic cream) or by gas, which is held close to your child's face until they become drowsy. Both methods are very quick and can be done while your child is sitting on your lap 

Recovery 
Following the operation, your child will be taken straight to our Recovery Room. As soon as they begin to come around from the anaesthetic, the ward nurse will collect them and you can accompany her if you wish. Children are often restless upon waking, but will soon settle down again and sleep off the effects of the anaesthetic. All patients stay on the ward for at least three to four hours and the nurse will let you know when you can take your child home.

Going home
Before you leave, make sure that you understand the nurse's instructions regarding stitches, dressings, medication and any follow-up arrangements. The anaesthetic can take up to 24 hours to wear off and your child may remain drowsy during this time. At home, keep a close eye on them and call your GP if you are anxious about anything.

For more information about our children's services, please visit our Paediatrics Page.