Barts and The London Children's Hospital | For patients, families and carers | Preparing to go into hospital
Preparing to go into hospital
How should I prepare my child?
Please tell your child, and any brothers and sisters, as much as they can understand about going into hospital. It is usually best to start preparing younger children only a few days beforehand. They may like to play ‘going to hospital’ games using their dolls and toys, and there may be children’s books about hospitals in your local library or bookshop.
Young children may only be able to take in a few simple ideas, but whatever you do say should be honest. Children sometimes worry about unexpected things or misunderstand what has been said. Ask your child why they have to go to hospital and what they think will happen there so that you can find out what is really on their mind.
If you need more help or advice, please feel free to contact the sister or play specialist on the relevant ward.
You can also show your child our dedicated website for children - which includes stories from real patients in the hospital. The site can be accessed via www.bartsandthelondonkids.nhs.uk
What do we need to bring with us?
When you bring your child to hospital, you will need:
Admission letter Please bring your child’s admission letter with you. The letter includes details such as where to go when you arrive and the date of your child’s admission.
Information Your child’s health record or clinic book, your contact details and your GP’s details. We will also need details of the child’s next of kin. Please give their daytime and evening telephone numbers if possible.
Medicines If your child is taking any medicines or tablets, please bring these with you (in their original containers, if possible). You can give them to the nurse for safekeeping. Please also bring details of any injections your child is having.
Clothes Please bring your child’s pyjamas, lightweight day clothes, underwear and shoes. The wards can be quite warm, even in winter. There are very limited laundry facilities on some of the wards, so you may have to do your child’s washing at home. If you intend to stay with them, you should bring your own belongings, but please do not bring any electrical items.
Toiletries You will need to bring your child’s hairbrush, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel, flannel and paper tissues.
Toys You may wish to bring your child’s special toy or comforter. Please label it if possible.
Baby foods or feeding equipment It is advisable to telephone the ward before admission to discuss any special feeding needs for your baby.
Money and valuables Depending on their age, your child may need a small amount of change for telephone calls, magazines, etc. Please don’t bring any other valuables as we cannot take responsibility for their loss or damage. We will only accept responsibility for patients’ property if it has been handed over and signed for by a member of staff. Valuables may also be deposited with the hospital cashiers.
Where will my child be staying?
The Barts and The London Children's Hospital is based at The Royal London Hospital (RLH) in Whitechapel. Your child’s admission letter will tell you which ward they will be staying on. To see details of our children's wards wards, please click on the link.
Where are the outpatient areas?
If your child is coming to hospital for an outpatient appointment, the details of where to go will also be provided on your appointment letter. Please click on the link to see our outpatient areas.
How do we get to the hospital?
You will usually need to make your own way to hospital. If possible, please use public transport or get someone to drop you off. There are no car parking facilities at the hospital for patients or visitors. Getting to The Royal London Hospital
Are we entitled to free travel?
If you are on a low income, you may be able to reclaim your travel expenses. If you are bringing your child to hospital, you may claim only for your child and one parent or carer. In order to claim, please bring with you:
- Proof that you are getting one or more of the following benefits: Income Support, Working Families Tax Credit, Disabled Persons Tax Credit, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance or a certificate of low income called an HC2 (AG2) or HC3 (AG3).
- A voucher, as proof of your child’s appointment or admission to hospital, must be obtained from the clinic or ward before payment can be made.
- Proof of your travel costs (for example: bus, tube, train ticket or petrol receipts). You will get these back before you leave the hospital.
Please take these to the Marie Celeste Samaritan Society office, which is on the ground floor of Fielden House, and is open Monday to Friday, 9am-4.45pm.
For further information, please contact the Marie Celeste Samaritan Society office through the Trust hospitals switchboard on 020 7377 7000, The Royal London Hospital, ext 2814.
What if English is not my first language?
The Trust has its own bi-lingual Health Advocacy Service which provides information, support, interpretation and advice to patients whose first language is not English. The service aims to ensure that all patients and their families can access the full range of services provided by the Trust’s hospitals and that they receive the highest quality of care.
It is advisable to telephone the Health Advocacy Service before your child’s admission to arrange help. Contact the Health Advocacy Co-ordinator on 020 7377 7362 or call the appropriate health advocate direct on the number below.
- Bengali (Sylheti), Hindi and Urdu 020 7377 7362
- Cantonese and Vietnamese 020 7377 7319
- Mandarin 020 7377 6335
- Somali 020 7377 7328
- Turkish 020 7377 7362
If you arrive at hospital for your child’s admission and have not already requested an interpreter or advocate, please ask the ward staff as soon as you can so they can try to arrange this for you. Please be aware, however, that there may be a delay or there may not always be an interpreter available.
Service for people with hearing difficulties
If your child has hearing difficulties and needs a signer (British Sign Language) while they are in hospital, please contact the Health Advocacy Co-ordinator on 020 7377 7362 (tel), 020 7943 1310 (fax) or 020 7943 1350 (minicom). Please give as much notice as possible.
