The Children’s Centre is a purpose built unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital situated next to the Orchard Car Park in the new section of the hospital and provides both inpatient and out patient care.

The inpatient unit consists of general medical and surgical beds, a 2 bedded high dependency unit, an oncology unit which shares care with regional centres and a 6 bedded assessment unit.

The large out patient dept has a variety of Consultant and nurse led clinics during week days from 9 – 5.

The unit has been designed specifically for children and is bright and welcoming with a play room and school room to ensure children are as relaxed and happy as possible during their time in hospital. Although we are often busy, the atmosphere is friendly and we always aim to deliver high standards of individualised care for all children and their families.

What to Expect When You are Admitted to Our Ward

When you arrive on the unit as an emergency admission - either from your GP or the Emergency Dept- you will either be shown to our assessment unit or directly to a bed on the main ward.

You and your family will be greeted by a nurse who will check all your details, take your temperature and pulse and ask questions about the reason for you coming into hospital. You will then see a doctor who will assess you and request any necessary tests or procedures such as a blood or urine test. If you are coming to the ward for a planned surgical procedure – you will be shown to a bed in our surgical area. You will then see a nurse who will get you ready for theatre.

All the medical and nursing staff are specially trained to care for children and young people and will make every attempt to ensure that both you, what ever your age and your family , feel as involved as possible in decisions about your care. If you or your family have any questions at any stage please speak to a member of staff.

Your care will depend very much on your reason for coming into hospital and will be regulaly reviewed and updated.

Please be aware that the Trust is now a smoke free NHS. Smoking is not permitted in any building or within the grounds of any of our sites. Information and support is available to any patients who wish to stop smoking. Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available to help reduce your cravings during your stay.

Security

On entering the unit there is an intercom system where you press the button and identify yourself to staff. Please do not let anyone behind you enter the unit unless they are in your party.

All staff have identity badges which should be displayed at all times. They will introduce themselves when they come to see you and your child.

Please inform a member of staff if you are leaving the ward to ensure we are aware of which children are unaccompanied. If you would like a visitor, such as a member of your extended family to visit your child when you are not present, please give their name to a member of staff, as we cannot let them do so without your permission.

How to Contact the Ward

On admission your nurse will inform you of the number to call if you wish to speak to a nurse – 08454 22 8308 – medical admissions, 08454 22 8310 – surgical admissions.

Or Telephone Switchboard on 08454 22 2222 and ask for the Ward.

If you wish to speak to your child or a relative there are phones available at each bed space – ask your nurse for the number. If you wish to call out on these phones you will require a card, these cards are available from dispensers on the unit at a cost of £3.

Mobile phones can be used in designated areas – please ask a member of nursing staff for advice.