Paediatric Surgery Patient Information

Your child’s journey into theatre

Welcome to our online guide for bringing your child into surgery.

This site has been created to help guide you and your child through surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary. You will have received information through the post regarding their admission, which will include fasting instructions.

It is aimed at providing your family with information so you know what to expect and to help allay any anxieties you may have.

The films we have created explain each stage of your child’s journey from admission, going down to theatre, being in recovery and heading back to the ward prior to discharge.

Baggins the Bear

Find out more about the fictional bear, which was created to help relax and distract young patients having surgery with anaesthesia.

Find out more about Baggins the Bear

Coming into hospital

In this film we explain who you will meet when you come to the ward and what their roles are in relation to your child’s admission.

Ward 12 is the elective children’s surgical admission ward. Our contact number (children’s surgical day case) is 01274 364380.

Occasionally you may be placed on ward 30/32 which is the children’s ward. The contact number for ward 30 is 01274 364390 and for ward 32 (part of the same children’s unit) the number is 01274 382311.

Where to come to?

See our Getting to the hospital page.

What can I bring?

T shirts/pyjamas
Clothes for going home
Slippers/socks
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hair bobbles and anything else you feel your child may need
If you bring an iPod/MP3 player or iPad/tablet it is your responsibility to keep this safe
Extra pillow
Non-fizzy drinks or juices

Going down to theatre

Here we explain the child’s journey down to theatre and the anaesthetic options available for going to sleep. The video also explains what to do once your child is asleep and how we can contact you when surgery is over. You will meet a number of the following people:

Theatre escort

A friendly member of our team who will ensure you get from the ward to theatre safely. They will also take you back after your operation.

Anaesthetist

This doctor will help you go to sleep for your operation.

Operating department practitioner (ODP)

This member of staff assists the anaesthetist to help you go to sleep.

Surgeon

This doctor performs your surgery. You will have met them on the ward so may not see them again in theatre before you go to sleep.

Recovery Nurse

Once your surgery is finished, this staff member helps you wake up safely and stays with you until your parent arrives to collect you.

In recovery and back to the ward

Here we talk you through the stay in recovery once your child’s surgery is over, how to collect your child from theatres and what happens back on the ward before being allowed to go home.

We hope you have found this site useful and that when you and your child come into our hospital for surgery you have a great experience. We’d welcome your feedback. You can leave us your comments as well as finding out about more of our support for patients by visiting Patient Experience