Getting ready to come to hospital

We know that coming to hospital for an operation can be a worrying time for children, young people and families.

You will have a chance to ask lots of questions when you see our pre assessment team before your surgical date, but if you need more information there are lots of useful links and articles below.

If you can’t find the information you need, please contact the paediatric pre assessment service on 01642 854165 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm).

Little Journey – preparing your child at home

Please download the Little Journey app. Little Journey is an app designed to prepare children and families for surgery at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

It is free to download for Google or Apple stores and contains lots of useful information.

Once downloaded type in “South Tees NHS Trust” to find the correct section and follow the on screen prompts.

Patient information and useful links

How and when do I tell my child about their operation?

You know your child best and are the best person to prepare them for their hospital visit. However, if you are not sure how and when to talk to your child about their operation this general advice for preparing children and young people for surgery leaflet has been created by our spinal team. It has some very useful tips for how and when to prepare your child. Please note the contact numbers on the bottom of the leaflet are only for those children having spinal surgery with us.

Need information in a different language?

The Royal College of Anaesthetists has produced all of its patient information leaflets in different languages.

Our preparation application Little Journey is also available in a number of different languages. Once the application is downloaded onto your phone you are able to edit the language to your preferred option in the preferences section.

If you would like an interpreter for any of your consultations with us, please speak to the pre assessment team or ward / day unit staff as soon as possible and they will organise this for you.

Dennis has an anaesthetic resources

Dennis has an anaesthetic is a children’s comic developed by Royal College of Anaesthetists. It is aimed at children to help them understand what it’s like to have a general anaesthetic. It uses familiar Beano characters to help reduce any anxiety they may have about surgery. There are also Dennis challenges which you can complete with your child to make sure they are as fit as possible before their operation.

Eating and drinking

It is very important that you have an empty tummy when you come for an operation or procedure so that we can look after you safely.

Here are some rules to follow…

No food for six hours before your operation
Sip water until you come to the hospital
Ask the doctors and nurses if you are not sure

Can I eat and drink?

Coughs and colds

It is very common for children and young people get coughs, colds and other infections such as hand foot and mouth or chicken pox. Most of the time these infections are mild and self-limiting. They may even occur so frequently that it seems like the child is never really well.

Having an infection may seem like nothing important but it can make a real difference to you if you are also having an operation and it can also be a risk to other children who may have lowered immune systems.

It is really important that you tell us as soon as possible if you are unwell in the four weeks before your operation.

Often things will still go ahead as planned but sometimes, to keep you safe, we may need to postpone surgery for a little bit to give you time to recover and ensure that we can give you the safest possible care.

I’m a bit worried…

It is completely normal for you to be worried about coming to hospital for surgery, even if you have come to hospital before.

We hope that by coming to the pre assessment clinic and by downloading our Little Journeys app that you will be less worried.

Parents and carers

If you think that your child is very anxious we offer a number of extra services through our autism champions and consultant pre assessment clinic. Please speak to the pre assessment nursing team who will be able to refer you if you think it will help.

What should I bring to hospital?

The list below is a suggested list. Please do not feel you have to bring everything on it and do not worry if you do not have anything.

Please keep the number of valuables you bring to the hospital to a minimum; this includes electronic devices.

Please try and pack what you need into a small, easy to transport bag.

Any medical paperwork / red child record booklet.
Any medicines you or your child are currently taking.
Comfortable loose clothing that does not contain metal (pyjamas and dressing gown are ideal)
Spare underwear.
Slippers
Washbag with essential wash kit.
If your child wears nappies please bring an adequate supply of nappies and wipes. We do not have a supply of all sizes at the hospital.
Favourite toy or snuggle blanket.
Small number of toys or books to distract your child whilst they wait.
Snacks for after surgery. Although we have a good supply of food and snacks, if your child has particular tastes it can help to bring something from home.
Baby milk and bottle or cup if your child uses a particular one. We do not stock all brands of baby milk.

Autism

We know that coming to hospital for an operation can be particularly challenging for autistic children and parents. We are here to help.

After your pre assessment appointment one of our autism champions will be in touch to talk about how we can make things easier for you.

If you do not wish us to contact you, please just let us know when you have your pre assessment appointment.