Welcome to the Children’s Ward and Children’s Assessment Area at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. On this page you will find most of the information you need to make the stay for you and your child as comfortable and as friendly as possible.

Facilities for patients include:

• A waiting area with books and toys
• 25 beds in four-bedded bays or single rooms
• All beds have individual TVs
• A playroom with a large selection of toys, books games and videos. This closes for a short time after lunch and after 7.00pm in the evening to allow children to rest
• An outdoor secure play area with direct access from the Ward

Visiting children may also use play areas but must be supervised by an adult as the hospital cannot accept responsibility for visiting children.

How to find us

We are on the second floor of the Women and Children’s Unit which is situated to the left of the main Forth Valley Royal Hospital building. We have our own separate entrance which is locked overnight. If you arrive in the evening there is a night entrance door to the right. A buzzer operated door entry system will connect you directly to the Ward where staff can automatically unlock the door.

When your child is admitted to hospital

We adopt a ‘named nurse’ policy and hope to have the same nurse caring for your child throughout their stay. A nurse will introduce themselves on your arrival and start to assess your child, taking some details from you. A doctor will then ask more questions about your child’s illness and examine them. You will be told about any treatment required and a number of tests may also be arranged.

We encourage parents to stay with their child wherever possible and help with feeding, changing, bathing etc.

Play specialists in the ward will organise play programmes to help your child’s recovery and a teacher is available during the week to continue your children’s education whilst they are in hospital. We hope you will allow student nurses and doctors to take an active role in caring for your child so they can gain knowledge and experience.

Security

CCTV is in operation in and around the Ward.

Please make sure cot sides are fully raised if leaving your child unattended even for a few seconds as accidents can happen, even in hospital.

You should also not take your child out of the Ward area without first informing your child’s nurse or the nurse in charge.

All electrical equipment brought from home must be tested by the hospital electrician.

Parents and visitors on continuing medication must have this medication stored in the Ward’s drug cupboard.

NHS Forth Valley cannot accept responsibility for the safe keeping of valuables.

Food and drink

The Ward has a food hygiene policy which means all meals must be provided by the hospital’s catering department.

Dietitians visit regularly and children are encouraged to choose their own meals with a little help from a parent or nurse. The Ward has a limited supply of baby meals and cereals. Please check with nursing staff before giving your child any food which you have brought in.

Parents who bring in food and drink for their own consumption should eat only in the parents’ room, not in the Ward. The parents’ room also has a TV and facilities for making light snacks and drinks. For safety reasons children are not allowed in the parents’ room.

Baby Feeds

If you are breastfeeding, we encourage you to continue. Support is available from the breast feeding advisor and a breast milk pump is also available. If your child is bottle fed you may wish to continue using your own bottles and teats. A sterilisation unit is available from staff.

There is a separate milk kitchen for preparing feeds for infants.

Visiting

There are no restrictions on visiting – the ward operates an open visiting policy. There may be times when your child needs additional rest and we may ask you to restrict the number of visitors to a minimum. This would also apply if your child has an infectious illness.

Travelling Costs

Parents and carers on a low income and/or are receiving supplementary benefits may be entitled to travelling expenses while their child is in hospital. If you think you may qualify please bring details of any benefits you receive with you and let staff know that you wish to claim travelling expenses. Please remember to keep all travel tickets or receipts as these are required to claim expenses.

Going Home

When your child is going home they may need ongoing care and medication. It’s important you fully understand any instructions given to you but if you don’t, please do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask. If your child requires prescribed medicines a small supply is usually provided by the hospital pharmacy.

Once you are home it is usual for some children to take a little time to settle back into their surroundings. However, if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to telephone the Ward or your local GP for advice.