Royal Children's Hospital

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Coming to hospital can be an uncertain time for both children and their families. Our aim is to provide you with information that will help prepare you for your stay.

• 'My trip to hospital' program
• Your choice - public or private patient
• Important reasons to telephone the hospital
• Some general tips
• Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare - a national, non-profit organisation of parents, professionals and community members who work together to ensure the emotional and social needs of children, adolescents and their families are recognised and met within hospitals and the health care system in Australia.

 

'My trip to hospital' program 

The 'My trip to hospital' books and DVD show you through a ‘typical’ admission starting at the front of the hospital, through to the wards, operating theatre, the Wonder Factory and even Outpatients.

Reading the age-relevant book, along with watching the video clips, will give you a better idea of what to expect and what to prepare for.

My trip to hospital 12 years & older (2.9 MB PDF)	My trip to hospital 9 to 11 years (3.1 MB PDF)	My trip to hospital 7 to 9 years (3.2 MB PDF)	My trip to hospital 4 to 7 years (3.8 MB PDF)
Fred's trip to hospital 3 years and younger (2.4 MB PDF)		Watch the My trip to hospital video

 

Our Family Advisory Council has also produced the Bedside Book: a guide to the Royal Children's Hospital for parents and carers, which provides parents and carers with some practical information about the hospital and our people and services. If you have not yet received a copy of the Bedside Book please ask the nurse on duty to provide you with one.

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Your choice - public or private patient

The RCH welcomes public and private patients. If you have private health insurance and your child is being admitted to the RCH, you have the option to use it.

Patients and families choosing to use their private health insurance as an alternative to being a public patient will not be billed for any 'out of pocket' expenses.

To read more about admission to the RCH as a private patient, read the RCH private health insurance information brochure or contact our Patient Options Liaison Team on 07 3636 9855.

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 Important reasons to telephone the hospital 

CONTACT the RCH before your child's procedure if:

• your child's procedure has been performed elsewhere or is no longer required
• you no longer wish your child to undergo the procedure
• your address of phone number changes
• if your child is sick in the week before a booked procedure (this includes colds, temperatures, runny nose, bronchitis, wheezing, diarrhoea, vomiting, or in contact with any infectious disease, e.g. Chicken Pox). Contact the hospital for advice regarding suitability for anaesthetic. You should consult your local doctor if you are concerned about your child's illness.

If you need to cancel your child's procedure, you may have to wait some time before a new appointment is available.

Contact numbers:
Weekdays, 8am until 4.30pm
Theatre Bookings Officer
Tel: 07 3636 7556

All other times:
RCH Switchboard on tel: 07 3636 8111. Ask to page the Nurse Unit Manager.

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Some general tips

When to tell your child
You know your child best. A general guide for when to tell your child is:

• one (1) day prior to coming to hospital for a toddler
• one to two (1-2) days prior to coming to hospital for a pre-schooler
• one (1) week prior to coming to hospital for a school-aged child
• several weeks prior to coming to hospital for an adolescent.

What to tell your child
Ensure that you answer their questions honestly and simply:

• tell your child that he or she will be going to the hospital for an operation or test
• talk about what happens at the hospital in very simple terms
• explain the reason for the operation or procedure
• highlight the benefit of the procedure
• let your child know that other children will be in the hospital
• avoid the phrase ‘put to sleep’ because some children may associate these words with the death of a pet.

Other ways to help prepare your child

• use dolls or stuffed animals to help take turns being doctor/nurse and the patient. Pretend medical kits can help to practice a procedure
• read library books about going to the doctor or hospital
• helping your child pack his or her bag for hospital, complete with a favourite toy or security item.

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