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For Families and Patients - Using Our Services - Royal Childrens Hospital and Health Service District Header bar end graphics

Coming to Hospital

Parent Information
Get the most out of your visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital by reading the information below.

 

"My trip to hospital" program 
The “My trip to hospital” program helps children prepare for a hospital admission. The books and the DVD will show you through a ‘typical’ admission starting at the front of the hospital, through to the wards and the Operating Theatre, the Wonder Factory and even Outpatients.

Reading the age-relevant book, along with watching the video clips, will show you what happens here at the Royal Children’s Hospital - Brisbane so that you don’t have to worry or ‘freak out’ about coming here.

My trip to hospital booklet for children aged 12 and older
My trip to hospital
12 years & older

(2.9 MB PDF)
My trip to hospital booklet for children aged 9 to 11
My trip to hospital
9 to 11 years

(3.1 MB PDF)
My trip to hospital booklet for children aged 7 to 9
My trip to hospital
7 to 9 years

(3.2 MB PDF)
My trip to hospital booklet for children aged 4 to 7
My trip to hospital
4 to 7 years

(3.8 MB PDF)
My trip to hospital booklet for children aged 3 and younger
Fred's trip to hospital
3 years and younger

(2.4 MB PDF)
My trip to hospital booklet for children DVD
Watch the
My trip to hospital video

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Important reasons to telephone the hospital 
Your child’s procedure has been performed elsewhere or is no longer required

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

 

Phone:

Weekdays: 8am until 4.30

07 3636 7556

 

All other times
Ask to page the Royal Children’s Hospital Nurse Manager

 

07 3636 8111

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How do I prepare my child for hospital?
When to tell your child
You know your child best. A general guide for when to tell your child is:

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

Other Ways to Help Prepare Your Child

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What should I bring to hospital?
Please ensure that all items are labelled.

For Your Baby

For Your Child

For You   - If you have to stay overnight                                

Paperwork:

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What shouldn’t I bring to hospital?
Valuables
Items of a high monetary value should be left at home as there are no secure facilities available.

Electrical equipment
In the interests of safety, electrical equipment powered by mains electrical supply can not be used in the hospital unless proof of inspection by an electrician is provided beforehand.
Battery operated equipment is preferred.
For more information, phone the Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator on (07)3636 8164.

Hot drinks
For safety reasons, hot food and drinks must not be brought into the ward area, however, parent lounge facilities are available on each floor.

Infection control
Anyone who has a cold, flu, fever, diarrhoea or rash, or has been exposed to a contagious disease and has not been immunised for that disease should not visit the hospital.

Ride on wheeled toys
In the interests of safety, ride-on wheeled toys are strictly prohibited within the hospital buildings and grounds. This includes scooters, bicycles, roller blades, tricycles and skateboards.

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What are the admission times for children coming to the Royal Children’s Hospital?
Admission times:
For morning procedures admission time is  7am
For afternoon procedures admission time is 11am.

My child is being admitted at 7am. What do I need to do?
Ask your health care team whether your child needs to fast (see below). If your child has a medical condition that may be compromised by an extended fasting period please discuss fasting requirements with your health care team.

If your child’s procedure is in the morning:

If your child’s procedure requires fasting:

My child is being admitted at 11am. What do I need to do?
Ask your health care team whether your child needs to fast (see below)

If your child’s procedure is in the afternoon

If your child’s procedure requires fasting:

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What happens in hospital?

Step  

Place

Event

1

Admissions Office
In the main foyer of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation Building

You and your child book into hospital at the Admissions Office on Admission Day.
Admission Day is a long day which involves considerable waiting. You may wish to bring some activities or reading material for yourself and your child. 

2

Ward

You will be seen by several members of the health care team including doctors and nurses.  Your child will be examined and staff will be taking a medical history..
On occasions there may be unforseen circumstances that may cause delays.  Staff will keep you informed.

3

Theatre Holding Area

You can accompany your child to the procedure area where a nurse and / or doctor will meet you.
You may find that questions are repeated.  This is necessary as a safety check.

4

Theatre

Your child will be taken into theatre.
Check with the Anaesthetist whether you are able to accompany your child until they are “asleep”. 

5

Parent’s Lounge or Working Wonders Café

Depending on the length of the procedure you may wish to use the available facilities.   
Remember to give Nursing staff your mobile number if you are leaving the ward area.

6

Recovery

This is where your child “wakes up” from their anaesthetic.
Parents are usually able to be with their children in the recovery room once they have woken.  You will need to check with the nurses in the Recovery Room. 

7

Medical discussion with parents / caregivers

There may not always be the opportunity to discuss your child’s condition immediately following the procedure. It is advisable to ask your doctor prior to the procedure when this discussion might occur.

8

Ward

On return to the ward your child may be sleepy.
Recovery is monitored closely for a period of time depending on the type of procedure.

9

Home

Your child will be discharged in line with your medical teams recommendation.
The hospital provides

  • Instructions on how to care for your child after the procedure
  • Medications necessary to help your child continue his or her recovery at home, (link in to Preparing to go home: special note on medications)
  • Details regarding a follow up appointment.
  • Contact details in the event of any concerns.

10

Follow up

Follow up arrangements will be discussed with you prior to discharge. This may entail an appointment with either your GP or at an RCH outpatient clinic
If your follow up is at a Royal Children’s Hospital Outpatient clinic, you will receive an appointment either on discharge or in the mail.

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Routines while my child is in hospital
Children’s meals  

Breakfast

Served shortly after 7:30am

Lunch

Served shortly after 12 noon

Dinner

Served shortly after 5pm

Parent’s meals
The Royal Children’s Hospital provides parents meals to breast feeding mothers. All other parents and visitors must supply their own meals.

General amenities
Visitors to the Royal Children's Hospital may access a range of facilities.

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Can I stay near to my child?
Information on parent accommodation.

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When can I visit?
Parents
Parents can visit any time and are encouraged to do so.  Due to safety regulations and limitation of space only one parent is able to stay overnight.

Others
Visitors other than parents or carers can visit between 8am and 12 noon or between 2pm and 7:30pm.  A ‘quiet time’ is encouraged for children between 12 noon and 2pm.

In the interests of safety, visitors at the bedside at any one time should be kept to a minimum.
We recommends that you check with your child’s particular ward regarding visitors.

 

For infection control purposes, anyone who has a cold, flu, fever, diarrhoea or rash, or has been exposed to a contagious disease and has not been immunised for that disease should not visit the hospital.

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How can I help my child cope with being in hospital?

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Preparing to go home: Special note on medications
Your child may still require some form of pain relief even after discharge.  Discuss this with your health care team prior to leaving the hospital.

Some common medications may have adverse effects following surgery or a procedure and should only be given AFTER consulting with your Doctor.

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After it is all over, how can I help my child settle back into their usual routine?
It may take some time for your child to settle back into their old routines at home. You can help by:

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Last Updated: 22 August 2008
Last Reviewed: 22 August 2008