This leaflet is a basic story style introduction to a cardiac device check. It is aimed at pre school age children and aims to make the scenario of a check, the equipment and the surroundings familiar.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either the Cardiac devices team or the Paediatric specialist nurses.
Kate and Sam were busy getting ready for school.“Hurry up. We don’t want to be late.” said mum. “Remember I will come and collect you just after lunch.” Today Kate was going to hospital to have her pacemaker checked.
Mummy, Sam and Kate went to school. Kate rushed to tell her teacher, Mrs. Thomas. “I’m going to have my pacemaker checked after dinner. My mummy is coming for me” she told her.
When Kate had finished her lunch she went with mummy and Sam in the car to the hospital. It was a big place but they knew where to go. They had to wait until their names were called but there was a very good playroom with a rocking horse, chalk board and other games.
Soon the physiologist called Kate’s name. They went into a big room “Hello Kate. How are you?” the physiologist asked “I’m fine” Kate replied. “Would you like to lay on the bed, sit on a chair or would you rather sit on mummy’s knee?” the physiologist asked. Kate made herself comfortable on the bed. Mummy and Sam sat next to her to watch what was happening.
“I’m now going to talk to your pacemaker with this other machine.” The physiologist said and she put something that looked like a computer mouse on top of Kate’s clothes. “does she need to take her jumper off?” said Kate’s mummy. “No, this machine can talk through clothes” said the physiologist.
“Now I’m going to see if your pacemaker is working just right for you. You may feel your heart beat differently whilst I do this. It might feel a bit funny but it won’t hurt.” explained the physiologist.
Kate watched her tap the screen. It did feel a bit funny but it didn’t hurt.
It didn’t take very long. “Your pacemaker is working very well. You can go back and play. Said the physiologist.
The physiologist asked Kate and mummy if they had any questions they wanted to ask and said they would like to check Kate’s pacemaker again in a few months’ time.
Sam and Kate went back to play in the playroom. After they had seen the doctor they went home.
When Kate went to school the next day she was proud to tell her friends all about her visit to the hospital for her pacemaker check.
Contact us
Cardiac Devices Team
Monday to Friday 8 am to 5.30 pm.
Out of hours emergency contact via CCU
24 hours, 7 days a week, emergencies only.
Children’s Cardiac Nurse Specialist
Monday to Friday 8 am to 5.30 pm.