Pre-admission information
Approximately 1 to 6 weeks before surgery your child will attend the hospital for some investigations over 2 days and will see the spinal nurse specialist and other professionals.
Investigations and procedures may include:
- X-rays
- Lung function test (blowing in a tube)
- Electrocardiogram (sticky pads on the chest to monitor the heart, called an ECG)
- Blood tests (an anaesthetic cream or spray will be applied to the hand to numb the skin)
- Routine swabs of the nose, throat and groin area
What to expect
You will be asked to arrive at an allocated time on a Thursday morning.
On arrival to the hospital, you will have an appointment with your nurse specialist who will assess your child. You and your child will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Your child will be assessed and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. Bloods and swabs will be taken. You will be given a bottle of Octenisan wash for your child to wash with the day before their surgery – this will be explained to you.
You and your child will go to the departments for the investigations at appointed times, which will be explained to you.
Once all of the investigations have been carried out, you and your child may go home overnight, to return at your allocated time slot the following morning.
You will be asked to arrive at an allocated time on a Thursday morning. You and your child will go to the departments for the investigations at appointed times, which will have been sent out to you.
You will meet your nurse specialist and other members of the spinal team. Your child will be assessed and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions.
Bloods and swabs will be taken. You will be given a bottle of Octenisan wash for your child to wash with the day before their surgery – this will be explained to you.
Once all of the investigations have been carried out, you and your child may go home overnight, to return at your allocated time slot the following morning.
Patients who are unable to carry out a lung function test may be asked to a wear a lung function device overnight called a Tosca machine. These are small sticky pads, which are applied to the ear lobe. You will be shown how to use this so that you can take it home and bring it back the next day on your return when the anaesthetist will review the results.
Your child will be reviewed by a consultant anaesthetist when they return on the Friday morning; other professionals may be involved if required.
Your child will then be seen by a spinal consultant who will discuss surgery options and gain consent for surgery. You and your child may then go home and await a date for surgery.
Please be aware that young people who smoke will have their operation cancelled. If you would like to discuss smoking cessation please discuss this at your pre-assessment as the trust can provide support for this.
If your child develops a cold, has an infection or is unwell before their admission please let us know.
Please be aware these can be long days, so be prepared and bring some lunch or snacks for you and your child or money for the canteen. There is a cash point on level 1 of the hospital.
If your child is very frightened or has any phobias please let us know ahead of time so we can aim to provide some additional support.
What to bring along for admission for surgery
Patients may bring their own nightwear – but no onesies please. Loose fitting pj’s are easiest.
- Comfortable clothes for discharge.
- Toiletries (including your bottle of Octenisan)
- Please bring your child’s regular medications.
- If hoists are used, please bring slings.
- Patients on non-invasive ventilation please bring your equipment and or cough assist.
- You may bring feeds, pumps and equipment for gastrostomy fed patients. The trust can provide the pump and equipment if this is not possible. Not all feeds are available in the trust.
- Female patients are advised to bring sanitary products.
- Please bring things to keep your child and yourself entertained such as books, toys, comforters or tablets. (There is free wifi in the hospital.) each bed space also has its own TV which is free 7am until 7pm.
- Please note the trust cannot accept responsibility for any money or other valuables or property kept by patients
Ward information
- There will be a bed next to your child on the ward for one parent/legal guardian to stay.
- There is a parent’s room for parents to make drinks and food and freshen up.
- Hot drinks are allowed on the ward as long as they are in a cup with a tight fitting lid.
