Carers' Checklist - Operations 

Before the big day

On the big day                    

Outpatients visits

Before the big day

• Hospitals usually need you to confirm acceptance of the appointment or operation
• For younger children, a pre-check appointment may be offered where your child can see the doctor, have any necessary tests and be taken through the operation day details in a child-friendly way
• Double-check the instructions for eating and drinking before the operation this is crucial
• Check whether there is a possibility of your child needing to stay overnight and make arrangements parents can usually sleep over in a bed next to their child
• Make sure you tell the school about the date of the operation in advance and check with doctors when your child can return to school
• Try and arrange childcare for other siblings although hospitals have great play areas, other children may get bored with long periods of waiting around
• Check with the ward to see if you are entitled to a free car-parking pass for the day of the operation otherwise, check you have enough coins ready for a ticket!
• Take coins for the payphone phone it's often difficult to find somewhere to use a mobile when you need to stay with your child

On the big day:

• Ring the ward before you leave to check you're still on the list
• Try and give the patient your full attention they may be quite nervous
• Take pyjamas, and any small toys or books for keeping your child busy sometimes you can be kept waiting for ages
• In our experience, the hospital staff are excellent and really try to make the children happy.  They will be happy to answer questions, help you and make you comfortable too don't forget to ask if there's a room where you can make coffee and relax
• Write down any instructions in case you forget them you may get tired and stressed and a bit forgetful!
• Make sure you eat hospital food can be OK and it's cheap!
• Ask about life after the op ' are there any things your child needs to avoid for any period of time'

Outpatient visits

• Don't forget to tell the school!
• Be prepared for lots of waiting around take books or toys in case the department you're visiting has no play area
• Try and arrange childcare for other siblings although hospitals have great play areas, other children may get bored with long periods of waiting around
• Check on arrival whether your child needs to do any tests before seeing the doctor we've often been sent back for a hearing test or x-ray and then waited even longer to see the doctor
• Arrive on time to have the best chance of seeing the doctor within a reasonable time
• Check with the ward to see if you are entitled to a free car-parking pass' otherwise, check you have enough coins ready for a ticket!
• Take coins for the payphone phone it's often difficult to find somewhere to use a mobile when you need to stay with your child