Pre-admission Information – Children’s Orthopaedics and Plastics

Whether your child is coming into the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) as an inpatient or a day case, it can be an anxiety provoking and worrisome time, for you and your child. This short information leaflet will help you prepare and explain what you can expect.

Date for surgery

A decision has been made with you that your child needs an operation. Your child’s name will be added to the consultant’s waiting list and a date for surgery will be arranged. We aim to give you approximately two weeks notice before the operation date; however, please note there may be occasions where this is not possible. For example, we may contact you to offer the operation at short notice to accommodate last minute cancellations.

Pre-assessment

This is usually conducted as a telephone appointment where you will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s planned surgery with the children’s specialist pre-assessment team. It will be highlighted and arranged by the pre-assessment team if any blood tests or MRSA swabs are required. If necessary, you may also be contacted by the specialist nursing team, occupational therapists or physiotherapists before surgery takes place. Usually, the pre-assessment team will contact you up to two weeks before surgery takes place.

We cannot proceed with surgery before this appointment is completed.

Admission day

• If you will need an interpreter, please inform the secretary before admission.
• Please tell the secretary or ward staff if your child has been in contact with an infectious disease like chicken pox or measles, or is unwell during the 48 hours before the date of admission. Your child’s surgery may have to be postponed.

• Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, your child’s operation may be cancelled on the day of surgery. If this happens, then we will endeavor to give you a new date for the operation before you leave, or our waiting list co-ordinator will contact you after you have gone home to arrange this.

Admission process

• A nurse will show you round the ward and fill in some forms with you. Your child’s height, weight, temperature, pulse and blood pressure will be checked.
• If your child is aged 12 years or over, they will need to take a pregnancy test on the ward before their procedure. Please follow the link for further details: www.leedsth.nhs.uk/patients/resources/pregnancy-testing-in-teenage-girls
• You will be seen by a doctor and the anaesthetist before your child goes to the operating theatre. Only one parent will be allowed in the anaesthetic room where your child goes to sleep. You will be called to the recovery room as soon as your child wakes up.

Transport

• If your child is travelling home on the same day as their procedure, they cannot travel home on public transport. Please make sure you have arranged transport via your own car or taxi.
• Please note parents / carers must book their own ambulance transport if required to come to hospital. Please contact the secretary for further details.

On the Ward

Two visitors are allowed with the child at any one time. One parent can stay with the child overnight. We have pull out beds available for you to use by your child’s beside at night.

A daily ward round takes place on L41 to make ongoing decisions about your child’s care. This usually takes place at approximately 8.15 am.

Contact details