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Before your child's operation
Make sure you have read and understood the instructions about fasting (avoiding food and drink) in preparation for your child’s operation. To read about fasting, see the drop-down menus below on ‘Eating and drinking instructions’.
Fasting is essential. It helps to prevent your child breathing their stomach contents into their lungs while they are under general anaesthetic.
If you do not follow these fasting instructions your child’s operation may be cancelled.
About the children's day surgery department
This department treats and cares for children between 6 months and 18 years who need surgery which can be carried out as day surgery (the child can have the operation and go home on the same day). This includes ear, nose and throat, orthopaedic (bones and joints), dental and urological (urinary) surgery.
Young people between 16 and 18 years can choose to be cared for in the paediatric or adult (single sex) areas of the DSU.
A team of trained children’s nurses, paediatric anaesthetists, and surgeons care for every child and their parents, guardians or carers during their time with us.
We understand that coming to hospital, even for a short time, can be stressful for the whole family. We look forward to providing a welcoming, professional service, so that you and your child have a positive experience.
Before your child’s admission
Once your child’s surgery is agreed during their outpatient appointment, you will complete the pre-operative self-assessment form before you leave the outpatient department.
This form is then given to Reception so that our nurses can assess your child’s needs before surgery takes place. If you do not complete the form, this may delay the date of your child’s surgery.
If you require a language interpreter, ring the relevant Patient Pathway Coordinator (PPC). You will find the PPC’s telephone number on your appointment letter. The PPC will arrange language translation for you.
You and your child are welcome to come to the DSU for a visit before their operation. This gives you a chance to meet some of the team, have a look around and ask questions. Get in touch with the DSU to arrange a date and time.
If your child has a cold or is ill before their operation
Contact the DSU before coming in if your child is unwell or you think they have been in contact with someone who is infectious. This means anyone with COVID-19, chickenpox, measles, mumps or diarrhoea and vomiting (tummy bugs).
Some of these diseases can be transmitted before an infected person shows signs of being unwell.
If your child has a cough, cold or temperature on the day before or day of their operation, let the DSU nurses know as soon as possible. They will tell you what to do.
If family members and visitors have been in contact with someone who is ill, tell them not to come to the hospital until they have checked with DSU nursing staff.
Preparing your child for their operation
Before you arrive, you will know whether your child’s operation will take place in the morning or the afternoon.
Use the links in the ‘More information’ section below if you think these will be helpful in preparing your child for surgery.
Make sure you read and understand the relevant fasting instructions to prepare your child for their operation.
 Use the drop-down menus below for eating and drinking instructions about morning and afternoon operations. |
You must follow these instructions about when your child should fast (stop eating and drinking) or their operation may be cancelled.
Fasting is essential because it helps to prevent your child breathing any of their stomach contents into their lungs while they are under general anaesthetic.
The night before your child’s surgery
- Give your child a milky drink and a light snack of their choice (such as toast or cereal) before they go to bed. This will reduce the amount of time they have to go without food or drink and make them more comfortable.
- You can give your child food or milky drinks (including formula milk) until 2.30 am. (Milk counts as food because it takes as long to digest).
- If you are breastfeeding, you can keep doing this until 4.30 am.
On the morning of your child’s surgery
- Allow your child to drink only clear fluids until 7.30 am on the morning of surgery. Clear fluids include still water (not fizzy), blackcurrant juice (such as Ribena or C-Vit), or clear apple juice (without pulp).This can help to stop them feeling sick after surgery and aid their recovery.
- Continue to give regular morning medications with water until 7.30 am.We suggest you bring a bottle of still water with you to the hospital.
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You must follow these instructions about when your child should fast (stop eating and drinking) or their operation may be cancelled.
Fasting is essential because it helps to prevent your child breathing any of their stomach contents into their lungs while they are under general anaesthetic.
On the morning of surgery
- Your child should have an early breakfast that finishes by 7.30 am. This will reduce the amount of time they have to go without food or drink and make them more comfortable.
- Do not send your child to school on the morning of surgery. You cannot ensure they will remain fasted while at school.
- Your child can have any food or milky drinks (including formula milk) until 7.30 am. Milk counts as food because it takes as long to digest.
- If you are breastfeeding, you may continue to breastfeed until 9.30 am.
- To prevent your child becoming dehydrated, allow them to drink only clear fluids until 12.30 pm. Clear fluids include water (not fizzy), blackcurrant juice (such as Ribena or C-Vit), or clear apple juice (without pulp). This can help stop them feeling sick after surgery and help their recovery.
- Please give regular morning medications with water until 12.30pm.We suggest you bring a bottle of still water with you to the hospital.
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When you arrive at the DSU
- When you arrive at the DSU Reception, a nurse will take you and your child to their bed space. Your child may be one of a number of children having surgery on that day. The order of surgery depends on your child’s age (usually the youngest go first) and which procedure they are having.
- One or two adults can accompany your child. One of these adults must have parental responsibility to sign the consent form. Your child’s brothers and sisters are not allowed to accompany them into the DSU.
- The nurse will ask you and your child some questions and complete a pre-operative checklist. They will measure your child’s vital signs: pulse, blood pressure, temperature, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels. They will weigh your child and they may measure their height.
- The nurse will apply some local anaesthetic cream onto the back of your child’s hands. This means it will not be painful when we insert the anaesthetic tube (although they may still feel something) just before surgery.
- An anaesthetist and surgeon will review your child before surgery. They will explain the anaesthetic and operation to you and ask you to sign the consent form. You and your child will be able to ask them questions.
- If you have brought a bottle of still water with you, you can ask your child’s anaesthetist if they can drink for a little longer. They will tell you when your child must stop drinking.
Pregnancy testing
National guidelines require us to carry out a simple urine pregnancy test on all girls who have started their periods, before they have an operation. We understand this is a sensitive subject and appreciate your co-operation.
Transfer to the operating theatre
When we are ready to start surgery, your child may walk, be carried, or go on the trolley into the operating theatre.
One parent is allowed to go with your child into the operating theatre (you will need to put theatre ‘scrubs’ on over your normal clothes). You can stay with them while the anaesthetic takes effect. You will be asked to leave as soon as your child is asleep.
If your child has a favourite toy, this can stay with them and be with them when they wake up.
Parents can wait for their child in the paediatric day surgery department or leave and return in time for their child waking up. The nurse will let you know how long your child’s surgery is expected to take.
As soon as your child is safely awake, nursing staff will bring them back to you.
After surgery
After a general anaesthetic your child may be sleepy, dizzy, agitated or upset. This is normal. As the anaesthetic drugs wear off, your child will return to their usual self.
Children may show a wide range of symptoms when they are in pain or feeling sick. Let the nurse or doctor know if you think this is happening.
We will encourage your child to eat and drink as soon as they can do so safely. We will provide squash and biscuits. If your child has specific dietary requirements or favourite foods, bring these with you. Do not bring fizzy drinks or milk.
Going home (discharge)
Your child will need to stay an appropriate amount of time after their surgery. They must be able to eat, drink and move comfortably before they are discharged. Your nurse will guide you through this. When your child is ready for discharge we will give you the information you need to care for them at home.
Make sure you have a supply of paracetamol (such as Calpol) and ibuprofen (such as Nurofen) at home to give as regular pain relief for your child. We will prescribe additional pain relief as necessary.
If your child is under 5 years, you must have two adults in the car when you are going home. This is so that one adult can drive and the other can care for your child.
Contact information
Day Surgery Unit Advice Line: (Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm) and via Sunshine Ward on 020 8934 2325 (evenings and weekends)
Day Surgery Unit Paediatric Ward
Telephone:
Day Surgery Unit advice line: 020 8541 5370
Day Surgery Unit Paediatric Ward: 020 8546 7711 ext 3029