Your ward

Alder Hey has been designed to be inviting, warm, happy, calming and educational. 75% of patients will have their own bedroom with en-suite facilities and views of the park wherever possible. Wards are bright with lots of space but families are also able to enjoy privacy and dignity.

Bedrooms have been designed to make patients feel at home and patients are able to control the light and temperature in their room.

Our inpatient wards are on levels one, three and four of our hospital. You can find them easily by taking the lift from the atrium.

The ward numbers are determined by the location they are in the hospital. For example, Ward 3A is on the 3rd floor and situated nearest to the A&E entrance. Ward 3C is on the 3rd floor and situated nearest to the main entrance on East Prescot Road. 3B would be on the 3rd floor and in between 3A and 3C.

Ward 1C – Cardiac and neonatal ward
Ward 3A – General ward
Ward 3B – Oncology ward
Ward 3C – General ward
Ward 4A – Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery ward
Ward 4B – Neurology ward
Ward 4C – General surgery ward

Burns Unit – First floor
Critical Care (including ICU and HDU) – First floor
EDU – First floor (next to 1C)
Renal Dialysis Unit – Next to 3C
Neurophysiology – Next to 4A

On our wards

Our wards have 32 beds and are dedicated to a variety of medical specialties. Our patients range in age from birth to 18 years, each with their own specific needs and challenges.

All our wards are divided into four coloured zones; Yellow, Blue, Green and Orange.  

Rooms in the Green, Blue & Yellow zones are side rooms with en-suite facilities. The Orange zone is made up of 4-bedded bays with shared bathroom facilities.

Patients may be moved from one zone to another during their stay.

Our staff are here to help answer any questions you may have. We will do our best to show you and your child around the ward soon after you arrive.

A member of staff will explain how to use the call bells by the bedside, and in the bathrooms and toilets, if you or your child needs assistance.

For more information about your visit to Alder Hey Hospital and our wards, please refer to our information booklets below.

What you need to know

• Make sure to check what your visiting hours are before you leave – these may vary from ward to ward. Check out our what to bring page
• Each room has a special parent bed so one parent or carer can stay overnight.
• There is a play area at the end of each ward and play decks are located at the end of most wards, allowing patients and families to enjoy fresh air and outdoor space with great park views.
• There is limited space for storage on the wards. It is a good idea to only bring one small hand baggage sized bag.
• Each ward has its own chef. Patients will be able to choose from a varied menu and have their meals freshly prepared, when they want to eat them.
• For parents, carers and visitors, hot and cold food is available from the Atrium. Drink making facilities are available on each ward.

Things to think about if your child is being admitted for treatment, day case surgery or an operation

• Read your admission letter. If your child is being admitted for an operation, it’s really important to follow the instructions about fasting beforehand. An operation can be cancelled if you don’t follow these instructions. It is unsafe to have an anaesthetic after eating or drinking. There is a risk that food or drink can enter a child’s lungs during surgery, causing potentially life threatening complications if they have not fasted properly beforehand.
• Certain procedures can carry an increased risk if the patient is pregnant. All hospitals, including children’s hospitals, are required to check for pregnancy before carrying out procedures such as anaesthesia and surgery. This applies to girls aged 12 years or older.
• Make sure your child has removed all jewellery, nail varnish and makeup before they come to hospital. This can interfere with medical treatment.
• For most surgical procedures, your child will be able to wear their own pyjamas as long as they are made from cotton and have no metal fasteners.
• Food is allowed on the surgical day case ward only for patients who have had their operation. If your child is having day case surgery you are welcome to bring another adult to wait with you. However due to shortage on space we do ask that you only bring one person if possible.

Consent and Confidentiality

Read our Consent and Confidentiality policy here.