Information for parents, and carers
When your child needs to go to theatre for surgery or a procedure, they are put on a theatre list. The time stated on the letter is not the time your child will go to theatre, but the time you are expected into the hospital.
Admission times are batched to further reduce the time your child needs to be in the hospital. These times are:
- 07:30
- 09:30
- 12:00
- 14:00
Starvation and fasting rules for the admissions times are below.
Starvation and fasting rules for children up to 1 years undergoing a General Anaesthetic.
| To Come In Time | Breakfast/Solid Food | Fluids |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 to 09:29 | No food after midnight. Last Formula Milk Feed finished by 04:30. Last Breast Milk Feed finished by 05:30. | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time) |
| 09:30 to 11:59 | No food after midnight. Last Formula Milk Feed finished by 06:00 Last Breast Milk Feed finished by 07:00 | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time) |
| 12:00 to 13:59 (12.00pm to 1.59pm) | Light breakfast i.e. cereal or toast must be finished before 07:00. Last Formula Milk Feed finished by 09:00. Last Breast Milk Feed finished by 10:00. | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time). |
| 14:00 to 17:00 (2.00pm to 5.00pm) | Light breakfast i.e. cereal or toast must be finished before 08:00. Last Formula Milk Feed finished by 11:00. Last Breast Milk Feed finished by 12:00. | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time). |
Starvation and fasting rules for children over 1 years undergoing a General Anaesthetic.
| To Come In Time | Breakfast/Solid Food | Fluids |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 to 09:29 | No food after midnight. | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time). |
| 09:30 to 11:59 | No food after midnight. | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time). |
| 12:00 to 13:59 (12pm to 1.59pm) | Light breakfast i.e. cereal or toast must be finished before 07:00. | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time). |
| 14:00 to 17:00 (2pm to 5.00pm) | Light breakfast i.e. cereal or toast must be finished before 07:00 | Please encourage your child to drink WATER ONLY. (can drink unlimited water up to admission time). |
When you arrive
Your child will be booked in by the Ward Clerk and their details will be confirmed. You and your child will then go to the Surgical Admission Lounge. This is where you will be while waiting to go to theatre.
Who you see on the day of the operation
- Your child will be seen by a Healthcare Assistant who will weigh them, and check that they are fit for their operation. To prepare for the operation, the Healthcare Assistant will apply a numbing cream, usually this will be on the back your child’s hand.
- A nurse will check your child’s details and history with you and explain the day to you again.
- An anaesthetist and a surgeon will come to make sure you understand the planned surgery and get written consent from you. The anaesthetist may prescribe pain relief before your child goes to theatre and will also explain pain relief options to you.
- If pain relief is required before the operation the nurse will give your child this when it is needed. Not all children need pain relief before their operation and this would have been explained to you when speaking with the anaesthetist.
- You can then get your child changed into their nightwear or hospital gown so they are ready for when they are called for surgery. The nurses will let you know which one will be more appropriate for your child’s surgery.
What will happen once your child has gone to theatre?
When your child has gone to theatre, a nurse will take you to the ward your child will be going to after they have had their operation. While you are waiting, you are able to leave the ward for refreshments. The nurses cannot give you an exact time frame your child will be in theatre and recovery for, however they will be able to give you an estimated time.
Covid-19 rules:
If your child or a member of the household has tested positive for Covid-19, the following rules will apply:
- Positive patient no symptoms- operation would be cancelled for 10 days
- Positive patient with symptoms– Following respiratory guidance prior to General Anaesthetic – operation cancelled for 4 weeks
- House-hold contact – Operation cancelled for 10 days
If you need further information or have any queries please contact the Surgical Admission Lounge on: 0151 252 5414