It is important that children admitted to hospital have regular contact with family and friends. However, it is also important that we keep them and other children and young people safe from infection. So there are a number of steps we need to take to keep everyone safe.
Check with the parents/guardians of the child, or call the unit about visiting times. Try to visit within these times. (This leaves time for children to rest, and for any tests or treatment to take place.)
Your Health
- If you feel unwell or have even mild symptoms on the day, PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE WARD
- Wash your hands on arrival or use the hand gel provided
- If you wish to bring a child to visit a sibling or friend on a ward, please discuss this with the parents and/or ward team in advance so that they can plan appropriately.
Telephone and Video-Conference Virtual Visits
Don't forget, you can stay in contact with the young person by phone or with a video call using a tablet or laptop computer. Or on WhatsApp, text or Instagram if they are on it.
Gifts and Items
Children and young people admitted into hospital will appreciate small gifts, treats and items that they can use when in hospital. Such as:
- Books to read or that can be read to them
- Colouring books/activity books
- Simple crafting activity kits
- Games they can play alone or with their parents
- Healthy snacks
- Fruit
- Toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, shaving foam, deodorant, skin creams, etc.
But mostly they will appreciate a conversation with you and news from the outside world!
Items Not Allowed
Because we have to ensure our wards are safe and healthy, there are a number of items that you cannot bring. These include:
- No flowers or plants
- No plastic bags of any kind. Paper or fabric bags, boxes and plastic containers are fine
- No glass containers
- No sharp items such as scissors, files or knives
- No alcohol
- No medication, drugs or any alternative/herbal preparations
- No belts, flexes, etc.
If you are not sure, just ask a member of staff
Pets
No pets are permitted on NHS wards apart from Assistance Dogs/Guide dogs/ sensory/disability dogs. Please contact the ward manager in advance to arrange visits.
Supporting the Whole Family
It is very easy for the health of parents to be neglected when a child is in hospital. To support a family, homemade nutritious food that can be heated up will be greatly appreciated. Foods that are high in fat such as deep fried food, pizza or other takeaway meals should be limited to just 1-2 times a week for the health of the whole family.
Also talk to the young person's parents about support with other aspects of family life that they would value help with. Eg. Walking the dog, picking siblings up from school, washing and drying clothes, lifts to the hospital, childcare, etc. It can be quite hard to ask for help so by offerng, you are making it easy for the family. Even if they have it covered, they will feel supported to know that help and back-up is there.
Avoid bringing drink or food that has a high sugar content such as juice, fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate. Although you want to treat the child/young person and spoil them, we need them to eat nutritious food to support their health/healing/immunity.
No Smoking
All Trust sites are smokefree. That means that smoking is no permitted in car parks, in the grounds or in secluded corners of our sites. As well as being very expensive, the health risks from smoking are widely known. You will be challenged if you smoke on NHS premises.
WiFI
Wards and many waiting rooms have Guest NHS WiFi.
Parking
There is limited parking on NHS sites but paid parking in the local streets. All sites are on public transport networks.
In Bedfordshire and Luton, there is paid parking and street parking around most of our sites.
After Discharge
The young person and their family will value your support even more in the early days after being discharged from the ward. So stay in contact or pop in to see how they are doing. It can feel strange being home for the first few days and getting back to normal so any help or contact will be greatly appreciated.
Invite them to meet with you somewhere local or travel together to support them in getting out of the house for a while if this is appropriate for their condition.