It is normal for children to be a little anxious about coming to hospital. They are in an unfamiliar place, with different smells and lots of people that they don’t know. Reassure your child that we are all here to help, and if they are feeling concerned, they can ask you any questions.
Talking to your child about their visit
Talk to your child about their hospital stay, let them know things like when they are coming, what the visit is for and depending on their age and level of understanding, gently discuss what they can expect. Remember to use words that they are familiar with, not medical words.
If you are unsure of how best to answer your child’s questions a member of your health care team will be able to help you. Our Centenary Hospital team are very good at answering any questions you or your child may have. Alternatively, there are some online resources available.
Let your child help you pack for their stay and make sure to include a special comfort item.
If you have a planned admission and you or your child would like the opportunity to visit the hospital beforehand you can book a tour with our Play Therapists. Tours are best scheduled to occur the week before the admission.
Getting to hospital
Make sure you know when to arrive at hospital and where you need to go. If you are not sure, please phone the hospital on (02) 5124 0000.
Come to the hospital a little early so that you have enough time to get to the right area. We have directions and information about our facilities.
Staying with your child in hospital
We encourage you to stay with your child and continue as much as possible with the level of care that you would normally provide at home for things like feeding and showering. In some cases, your child may require extra care from you in these areas. In other cases, depending on the type of surgery your child has undergone, or in the case of serious illness or injury, your child may require the assistance of staff. It is important to talk with your child’s care team to understand your child’s needs during their stay.
Most of our rooms are single rooms for one patient. The room has an ensuite and a day bed that parents or carers can sleep on. We will provide a sheet, pillow and blankets for parents or carers.
Unplanned admission to hospital
We understand that unexpected admissions happen. If your child has been admitted to hospital unexpectedly and you haven’t had a chance to arrange things, or pack your medication, clothing, and documents we can help you contact people outside the hospital who may be able to organise things or bring you items.
Resources
Here are some short videos from our friends at The Humour Foundation. Your child might like to watch these to learn about keeping hands clean and stopping the spread of infections. These links will open YouTube in a separate browser.
Stopping the spread of infections