children

Inpatients >> Pre-assessment

Information for parents

What is a pre-assessment clinic?

This is an outpatient appointment where you will have the opportunity to discuss your child's planned operation, test or procedure with the team, prior to coming into hospital for you admission.
Any tests and/or investigations requested by the consultant will be carried out on the day. The results will be available in plenty of time. This will avoid delays on the day of the operation.
This appointment will be one or two weeks before the planned admission.
The child and family will see the Nurse and the Play Specialist who will prepare the child for the procedure on a one to one basis and at their own pace and level of development.
If the family are unable to arrange a pre-assessment visit, the Nurse will phone. The phone call will be made a week or so before the child is due to come into hospital. This will also confirm that you will be attending on the appointed day. Alternatively, you can contact the pre-assessment nurse, Pauline Farrugia, on 020 7580 4400 Ext. 8177.
Arrangements to meet the registration officer can be organised for the same day.

The aims and benefits of the pre-assessment clinic are:

To reduce the child and family's anxiety by creating a relaxed and supportive environment including involvement of the play specialist.
To ensure child and family are fully informed about the impending surgery.
To provide information about any specific pre-operative instructions e.g. fasting times
To ensure all administrative work, including financial concerns, are concluded prior to admission.
To provide a point of contact for any further queries up to the time of admission.

What will the appointment involve?

The nurse will meet you and your child to take down his/her medical history and any other information needed before your child is admitted into the hospital.
The nurse will explain about the types of anaesthesia that are used at 'The Portland Hospital', and also about options for pain relief after the operation.
If your child needs to be seen by a specialist clinical nurse before admission, we will arrange this for the day of the pre-assessment appointment if possible.
You will be seen by the play specialist. Play is very important in the process of hospitalisation pre and post operation.

What investigations may my child need?

Ward Investigations

Your child will need to have a nose swab. This is routine and checks for certain infections. It may be uncomfortable, but it will not hurt.
Your child may also need to give a urine sample which will be checked for any signs of infection.
Any blood tests requested by the consultant will be carried out.

Other Investigations

If your child needs any other tests or investigations, like Echocardiogram, ECG, Ultrasound or X' Rays, we will arrange these for the day of the pre-assessment appointment if possible. Otherwise, we will arrange this for the day your child comes into hospital.

If you would like to raise any issues or concerns prior to your child's admission please contact your Consultant Paediatrician or our pre-admission nurse, Pauline Farrugia, on 020 7580 4400 ext 10217.

Alternatively, you may wish to discuss your child's admission with the hospital’s play specialists who are keen to offer support before, during and after his/her stay. They are in the hospital each weekday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm and can be contacted on 020 7390 8240.