Things you will need whilst you are in hospital: You/your child’s usual every day clothes and nightwear Wash things, inc. toothbrush and toothpaste Things you may need: Any special bottles/feeding cups Any special toys/comforters Any medicines your child is currently taking Nappies/Changing equipment School work if appropriate Safety information These guidelines are to keep you/your child as safe as possible during your stay on Rainbow Ward, therefore please follow them carefully. Do not leave valuables/money unattended; mark any of your child’s valuables, etc, with their name. Wherever possible leave valuables at home. Please do not carry hot drinks on to the ward. Always ask a member of staff to carry the drinks for you. Do not give your child or any other child anything to eat or drink without asking the ward staff first. When you leave a young child or baby in a bed/cot please remember to raise the bed/cot sides and fasten securely. Seek advice before visiting if you are unwell, have a cough or cold, or have been in contact with an infectious disease.

Things your child will need when coming into hospital some of the thing your child may need (lower image).

During your stay

Whilst your child is on Rainbow Ward, you can expect to be seen by a Consultant or a member of their team every day. This will give you the opportunity to discuss treatment and any other questions you may have. We do not have a set time for ward rounds but most tend to take place in the mornings. Any information that we feel is relevant to your child’s health and well-being may also be discussed with other professionals such as the Health Visitor.

Staying on the Rainbow Ward We have room for one parent to stay overnight on the ward with their child. However, we are aware that for many parents this is not possible. You are welcome to telephone the ward at any time, day or night, to check on your child. We do not give information out over the telephone to anyone other than parents. Door ‘Buzzers’ All the exits on Rainbow Ward are secured and operated via ‘buzzers’ which are linked to CCTV cameras and remote release buttons so that we can control who is able to gain access/leave the ward.

A typical ward room with an extra bed for a parent

To enter/leave the ward you need to press the button located on the wall next to the door, wait for the quiet ‘click’ and then push/pull the door. Please only press the button once and be patient for the door to unlock as the staff are often busy and it takes a minute or two for us to press the release button.

This system is in place to protect your child during their stay on Rainbow Ward.

Procedures carried out on the ward and in the treatment room

Most procedures such as blood taking are usually carried out in the treatment room, not at the bedside. This provides your child with a ‘safe’ area in which they can be sure nothing unpleasant is going to happen to them.

You can accompany your child in the treatment room whist this takes place. Some parents prefer to wait on the ward. (Every parent feels different about how they are best supporting their child.) This decision can be made at the time with the Nurse/Doctor looking after your child.

Going to theatre

If your child will be having an operation, you will need to sign a consent form BEFORE the procedure takes place. You will be able to accompany your child to the Anaesthetic Room and stay with them until they are ‘asleep’. Once your child is out of Theatre and in Recovery, the ward will be contacted and you may go and stay with them until they are ready to return to the ward.

Visiting Rainbow Ward

Children enjoy having visitors who often provide a distraction from ward life. Therefore, we have an open visiting policy. Although there are no set visiting times, we do ask you to be considerate to the other children and their families on the ward when choosing times to visit.

Brothers and sisters

We encourage brothers and sisters to visit but they must be supervised by parents. We do not have facilities for them to stay overnight.

When your child is discharged from hospital and has been prescribed medicines to take home, you may have wait up to 3 hours for them to arrive on the ward from the Pharmacy Department. However, if you live locally you could return to the ward to collect them.

All medicines will be explained to you when you are given them, with details of how, when and amounts to give. These instructions will also be detailed on the medicine labels.

A letter from the Consultant will be posted to your GP to inform them of your child’s admission and treatment whilst here.

Should you have any concerns after discharge you should return to your GP for advice.