Your Stay in Hospital
Handy Hints for Your Stay in Hospital
The information "Handy hints for your stay in hospital" is also available in brochure form, as a pdf document and has been translated into a number of languages:
Welcome
The Sydney Children's Hospital is situated within a very large campus of four hospitals and can be a little overwhelming when you first visit, especially if you are a child. We would like to make your stay with us as 'family friendly' as possible.
This information aims to answer frequently asked questions about your child's stay in hospital. If an admission date has been booked for your child, please find enclosed specific forms about your child's admission.
Sydney Children's Hospital, is a Smoke Free site. Parents and carers who would like to quit smoking and require assistance are encouraged to contact the Smoking Quit Line on 137 848.
The staff of Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick are dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of your child and to ensure the best possible outcome for your stay.
Please read all the information provided and do not hesitate to ask for any assistance.
What to Bring to Hospital
Medical Checklist
- Your child's personal health record, e.g. blue book, immunisation record and any other health summaries you may have
- Medicare card
- Health insurance details or evidence of current fund membership
- A list of medications or treatments your child is currently receiving, as well as the medications themselves to show hospital staff
- Any equipment which your child needs to aid mobility, feeding or communication
- Your family doctor's name, address and phone number
- Your general paediatrician's name, address and phone number if your child sees one regularly
- Any relevant x-rays and results from pathology tests
Personal Checklist (for Overnight and Long Term Stay)
- Clothes (including pyjamas and slippers), shoes
- Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush
- A favourite toy or comforter, colouring pencils or games
- School books/homework (the hospital has a school run by the Department of Education and Training)
- Special dietary formula
- Money for your meals, parking and accommodation
- Change for phones or phone cards
Storage space on the wards is limited so please do not bring too much with you.
We recommend you leave valuables at home as the Hospital cannot accept responsibility for any lost belongings.
Preparing Your Child for Hospital
Be honest with your child and answer all their questions as simply as possible. If you are unsure about how to answer, ask a member of your health care team to help you explain.
We suggest you tell your child:
- Why they are going to hospital
- What will happen when they arrive
- When and how long you will be staying with your child
You can contact a Play Therapist on (02) 9382 6984 for further advice on preparing your child for hospital.
Australia's favourite children's entertainers, 'The Wiggles' and their friend Dorothy the Dinosaur have made a very special video. Dorothy the Dinosaur Goes to Hospital, which tells the tale of what happens when Dorothy has to go to Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.
If you would like to borrow a copy of this video, please contact our Play Therapy Department on (02) 9382 6984.
Special thanks to The Wiggles and Ronald McDonald House Charities for their kind support in making this video a reality.
Parents may find this video helpful when explaining to younger children what it is like to go to hospital, meet doctors and have an anaesthetic. Going to hospital can be a positive experience and it's certainly made easier with your friends 'The Wiggles'.
Exposure to Infectious Diseases
If your child or family develops, or has had contact with other people with infectious diseases, such as measles, shingles or chicken pox, within 3 weeks prior to admission, please telephone the Hospital Admitting Officer on (02) 9382 1111.
Other infectious conditions we need to know about are vomiting and/or diarrhoea, whooping cough and head lice. If you child is unable to attend due to illness a new admission dare will be planned.
Surgery
Fasting for Patients having an Anaesthetic
Fasting means not eating or drinking for a certain amount of time. It is very important for your child to fast before surgery. If your child has food or fluid in their stomach during an anaesthetic they may vomit, which could then enter the windpipe or the lungs. Your child must have nothing to eat or drink (not even a sip of water from the time you are told to fast). Please check the fasting times with the nurses in the Ambulatory Care Unit between 3.30pm - 4.30pm Monday - Friday on 9382 1447 or 9382 1448.
Operating Theatre
If the anaesthetist agrees, one parent may be allowed into the anaesthetic room to stay until your child falls asleep. When your child is asleep, you will be asked to wait in the Parent Waiting Room, which is next to the Recovery Ward.
When your childs operation has finished, you will be called to the Recovery Ward to sit with your child as they wake up from the anaesthetic. Only parents and carers are allowed into the Recovery Ward (no brothers or sisters).
After the anaesthetic it is quite normal for some children to become upset. This does not necessarily mean they are in pain and they will usually settle down after a little while. Some children remain drowsy after an anaesthetic - it is best to let them sleep. If your child does feel pain after the procedure/surgery, they will be given pain relief medication as required.
If your child is having "Day Surgery"
After surgery your child will to go to the Recovery Unit for a short time. When ready your child will return to the Ambulatory Care Unit situated on Level 1 in ward C1East.
If your child is staying overnight after the operation
After surgery your child will go to the Recovery Unit. When ready your child will then be transferred to a ward bed. In the interest of other patients please keep family and friends accompanying your child to hospital to a minimum.
When is my child able to eat and drink?
Depending on the type of procedure/operation, food and drink will be slowly given to your child. The medical and nursing staff will tell you when your child may start to eat and drink.
Going Home (Discharge)?
Your doctor or nurse will let you know when your child can go home (be discharged) and arrange for any necessary follow-up appointments. For children staying overnight. The aim of the hospital is for most children to go home between 9.00am - 10.00am on their day of discharge. Please be prepared for early discharge so that other children waiting to be admitted are not disadvantaged.
Unable to attend?
If your child is unable to attend due to illness a new date needs to be arranged. Please call the phone number on your admission letter.
Take a Virtual Tour of a Trip to the Operating Theatre
We have designed a virtual tour, describing admission to hospital for a surgical operation, in a manner that is informative, comforting and child friendly. Our playful mascot, Sunny, will be your guide and make you feel welcome, the Sydney Children's Hospital way.
Patient Safety
If you have a small child in hospital, please ensure that:
- The cot sides are up at all times
- You do not sleep in your childs bed as this may block staff access to your child
- You never give food or drink to your child if there is a "Nil by Mouth" notice on the bed. This could be dangerous for your child
- You do not give food or drink to other children on the ward as they may be on special diets
- If your child is on a special diet consult the staff before ordering meals Hot drinks are not permitted in patient care areas.
- For safety, children under the age of 10 are not permitted in the ward kitchens
- Alcohol is not be consumed in the hospital
- Identification bands remain on your child whilst they are in hospital
- You inform the nurses when leaving the ward
- You do not share other childrens food or toys
- You do not pick up other children in the ward
- All medication is stored and locked in the cupboard at the staff station. Parents/carers who take any regular medication should discuss storage of this with the Nursing Unit Manager
Please wash your hands before:
- entering the kitchen
- feeding your child
- contact with other children
- after nappy changing or toileting
Teaching Hospital
Sydney Children's Hospital is a teaching hospital. You may be asked if your child can be seen by other health professionals for teaching purposes. If at any time you do not feel comfortable allowing your child to be examined by a medical student, please let a nurse from your ward know and this request will be respected.
Hospital Fees and Charges
Public Patients (non-chargeable)
As a public patient (non-chargeable) you receive accommodation and treatment free of charge from doctors nominated by the hospital. These doctors may be training to be specialist doctors and will be under the supervision of senior specialists. This applies to Australian residents only.
If you are not an Australian Resident, please contact the Admissions Office on (02) 9382 1440 who can explain your options.
Privately Insured Patients
If you have private health insurance you can choose to have your child admitted as a private patient which can benefit both your child and the hospital. The benefit for your child is that you can have the doctor of your choice.
It is important that during the admission process, we explain to you the potential benefits and implications of your decision. By understanding this information you will then be able to make a decision on whether to have your child admitted as a private patient. When patients use their private health insurance, the money the hospital receives helps us maintain excellent services for all children and families.
To help with any questions you may have please contact our Patient Liaison Officer/Cashier who can advise and assist with any aspects of your medical and hospital accounts. Call (02) 9382 1997 or ask at the Admissions Office. Whenever possible, we try to eliminate any out-of-pocket medical and hospital costs. It is important to check with your health fund about the policy and type of cover you have.
If you do not have private health insurance, you can still choose to be admitted as a private patient.
Parent/Carer Accommodation
Staying on the Ward
When your child is admitted, staff will work closely with you to achieve the best health for your child. We know, for instance, that hospitalised children do best when members of their own family actively contribute to this team effort.
You are welcome to stay with your child, however, limited beds are available on the wards so we ask that only one parent/carer (no siblings) stay on the ward with their child. If beds are not available, a parent may sleep in a chair beside the bed. We ask all parents staying on the wards to be dressed by 7:30am. The hospital aims for most children to go home by 10:00am on the day of discharge.
Priority for staying on the ward is given to:
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Parents of seriously ill children
- Parents who travel long distances
- Parents of younger children in hospital
In exceptional circumstances where a sibling is allowed to stay, please note we are unable to provide food, nappies, clothing or bottles for children who are not patients.
Other Accommodation Options
If you have a long distance to travel and require accommodation, we recommend you organise this as soon as your child's admission date has been arranged.
If you have tried the options listed below and are still having difficulties, please contact the Social Work Department on (02) 9382 1021.
Please note that all costs listed are subject to change.
Parent Hostel Accommodation (pre-booking essential)
Located within the Hospital this accommodation is only for parents/carers (no siblings) of children who are a full admission (staying one night or more on a ward). Priority is given to families of children who are patients in our Intensive Care Ward.
Cost: $33.00 per room per night for families (covered by IPTAAS).
Fee reductions are available for those in need. Telephone (02) 9382 1996 (7.00am - 4.00pm) or (02) 9382 1212 (after hours).
Ronald McDonald House (pre-booking essential)
Located on the hospital grounds. Preference is given to patients who live more than 200 kilometres away.
Cost: $46.00 per night if the patient is an outpatient of Sydney Childrens Hospital. $33 per room, per night, if the patient is an inpatient of SCH.
Telephone (02) 9382 1622 for further information.
Local Motels
- Randwick Lodge, 211 Avoca Street, Randwick. Phone: (02) 9310 0700
- Hill Cross Park Lodge, 7 Cuthill Street, Randwick. Phone: (02) 9314 5553
- Avonmore on the Park, 34 The Avenue, Randwick. Phone: (02) 9399 9388
- Coogee Bay Boutique Hotel, 9 Vicar Street, Coogee. Phone: (02) 9315 6024
- Crowne Plaza, 242 Arden Street, Coogee. Phone: (02) 9315 9116
- Gemini Hotel, 65-71 Belmore Road, Randwick. Phone: (02) 9399 9011
IPTAAS - Do you live more than 100 kilometres away?
Isolated Patients' Travel and Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS) provides financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs incurred by patients who need to travel more than 100 kilometres to access specialist treatment not available in their area.
For further information or to obtain an Application for Assistance form, please contact your nearest IPTAAS office, family doctor or our Social Work Department (02) 9382 1021 or the Admissions Department on (02) 9382 1996.