Paediatric Spine
This booklet tells the story of Ciaran Jasper. It follows her from entering the hospital, through her preparation and post-operation to going home. All the staff involved in her surgery would like to give special thanks to Ciaran and her family for agreeing to be part of this project and remaining positive and cheerful throughout.
Thanks also go to all the people involved in the making of this booklet, and to all those other staff involved in the care of young people with scoliosis at The James Cook University Hospital.
Booking in for a clinic visit in children’s outpatients
Clinics are held in children’s outpatients. This is on the ground floor just as you come through the hospital’s South Entrance, on the left after the lifts.
In clinic with your consultant
Clinic visits involve asking about your symptoms and medical history, physical examinations, and education and advice about your condition.
In X-ray
Many clinic visits involve having an X-ray. The X-ray department is along the mall (corridor from the South entrance), turning left just before the cafe, X-ray (radiology) is signposted along the corridor on the right. You will have to wear a gown, you can get changed in a private cubicle.
Swabbing for MRSA in clinic
A small minority of people can carry MRSA on their skin. This doesn’t cause a problem, but if the bacteria gets into the back during surgery, it can slow their recovery. We screen for MRSA a few weeks before surgery is planned. If the test comes back positive, body wash and nasal cream can be prescribed to help remove the bacteria.
The swabs are like big cotton buds, with one rubbed around the inside of the nose and one along the very top of the legs.
Taking blood in clinic
Blood tests have to be carried out to make sure you are healthy and ready for surgery. One is done a few weeks before surgery and one in the week before surgery.
Admission to ward 22
Ward 22 is on the first floor at the south entrance. It is signposted on the right. The ward staff care for all children and young people who need surgery or who have been involved in accidents.
Settling in with friends!
You are encouraged to bring your favourite things into hospital so it is a home from home. A favourite soft toy can be taken into theatre with you.
Testing lung function
Before surgery you will have your lung function measured. This involves breathing long and hard into a machine. This usually happens in clinic.
Having temperature taken
Something was funny!
Having pulse and oxygen saturation levels taken
This clever machine works by light and tells staff how fast your heart is beating and what percentage of oxygen is in your blood.
Having blood pressure taken
The cuff feels tight around your arm but it doesn’t last long.
Meeting the physio
One of the ward physiotherapists will have a chat to you about the best way of breathing to try and prevent chest infections.
She will also tell you about their planned care after surgery.
Pre-op height measurement
Scoliosis surgery often results in height gain due to the straightening of the spine. Your height will be measured before and after surgery.
Choosing some DVDs
There are lots of things to keep you amused on the ward, including dvds, the TV, computer games and arts and crafts. The TV is free but goes off at 9pm and comes on again at 7am. You can bring your own things to do, but nothing that needs plugging in.
Meeting the pain specialist
The pain specialist will visit to explain how we keep you comfortable after surgery.
Chatting to the anaesthetist
The consultant anaesthetist, who puts you to sleep, will also visit to make sure you are fit enough for your operation.
All ready for surgery
On the morning of surgery you will put on a gown and have numbing cream put on your hands ready for the anaesthetist to put a small plastic tube in to give you the medicine to put you to sleep.
Booking in the children’s surgical day unit
Here you will be asked the same questions as on the ward. This is to make sure everything is correct. Your name bands will be checked, and if you have any allergies, your red allergy band will also be checked.
Talking to the anaesthetic nurse
The same checks again!.
In the anaesthetic room
Getting the monitoring on, keeping tight hold of the teddies!.
Mum and dad look on
The anaesthetist must have said something funny! Parents can stay in the anaesthetic
room until you go to sleep.
All done – in intensive care
Still managing a smile!
With the physio
Making sure you don’t get a chest infection
Up already on day 2!
Walking so fast the photo’s blurred!
Back on the ward – with the ward hostess
The ward hostesses bring drinks, snacks and meals. You can choose from a menu.
Ciaran enjoyed an old favourite when she kept choosing her chicken teddies!
Practising walking up and down the stairs
You need to be safe on the stairs before you can go home.
Fitting a post-op brace
Not everyone has a brace after surgery but if you do, it will be fitted by an orthotist a few days after surgery when you feel well enough.
Wound after six days
This is Ciaran’s wound after only 6 days, healing well.
Re-dressed
The wound is covered by a dressing for approximately two weeks.
Medicines to take home
You will be given medicines to go home to make sure you stay comfortable.
Up and about, ready for home
Going home
Still smiling!
It’s a long way to the car
See you in a week for a wound check!
Contact details
- Ward 22
Telephone: 01642 854522 (24 hours) - PCCU
Telephone: 01642 854667 (24 hours) - Mr Zak Choudhury’s secretary
Telephone: 01642 835564 - Mr Prasad Karpe’s secretary
Telephone: 01642 854311 - Ms Toni Isaacson’s secretary
Telephone: 01642 850850, extension 55310 - Cheryl Honeyman, Nurse Specialist
Telephone: 01642 850850 extension 56266
Mobile number: 0793 536 1881
Email: [email protected] - General enquiries
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]
The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
