"Thank you all for the care & compassion!"

My daughter attended for a procedure under GA. From admission to discharge we felt comfortable & I knew my child was receiving top tier care!

Admission with Pauline was relaxed, my child was laughing & joking which put me at ease! We then met with Beatrice an ENT fellow who discussed the operation with my child sensitively and age appropriately, answering all questions that she had. My daughter was anxious about getting a cannula inserted, this was her main fear regarding the operation she was having.

We met with her sleepy doctor, Dr Walker, who engaged with my child on her level, noting the theme of the teddy she had using that to engage her in conversation. After her anaesthetic plan was in place my child & I felt relaxed allowing her to make use of the playroom’s & activities on offer to distract her from feeling hungry while waiting for her theatre slot.

My child got a pre-med to ensure the transfer to theatre was a relaxing experience & this was. She was snoozing & unaware, as a parent this was a relief and less upsetting for me! After I left the anaesthetic room I was given a parent pager by the lovely John, who reassured me that I would be alerted once my child was out of the theatre.

After my pager buzzed I raced back to theatre suite, John then showed me to the recovery room where my child was being cared for. The lovely recovery nurse put me at ease as I was incredibly anxious & answered all my questions about my child’s observations post operatively.

On our return to the ward my daughter was closely monitored, St/N Anna made the best toast in between checking my child’s vitals & couldn’t have been more helpful to us. The lovely Tracy brought the dinner round making sure my child & I had something to eat.

Prior to discharge Dr Kubba informed me of how my child’s procedure went in theatre, & worsening advice for her recovery period at home. My daughter's sleepy doctor, Dr Walker, popped by to make sure my child was comfortable & ensure she had the correct pain relief for going home.

Alannah, her discharge nurse, chatted through the analgesia for going home & gave information leaflets on what to expect in the coming days & who to seek guidance from if I had any concerns!

All the staff within the RHC DSU deserve a medal! Caring for our kids but also distressed parents! Thankyou all for the care & compassion!