"My son’s operation"

My 6 year old son fell and cut his ear last Sunday. Following a trip to A&E we were asked to return the next morning for him to be assessed by a maxillofacial consultant. We had to be at the hospital at 7:30am and he was to be nil by mouth. We did this and the decision was made for him to be operated on. We moved up to the Wizard Ward. My son was given fantastic care by all the nurses and supported well by Debbie, the Play Specialist. She explained the process very well to him with brilliant visual resources such as a book and dolly. He could practise with equipment to understand it better. She used appropriate language such as “Mr Peg”, which my son remembered and used later, to explain it to others and to discuss what happened. Debbie also taught him to use a Wii, which was a marvellous distraction for him during the long wait. 

The anaesthetic and operation went smoothly. I felt well supported, and the staff involved and informed me well as a parent. When my son came round he was carefully monitored and tended to by staff including Becca.

I feel the operation has been well followed up too: not only have I heard from the Health Visitor, but also a Ward nurse rang a few days later to check everything is going well.

The only suggestions I have are for parents to be better informed about approximate timescales. For example, I did not realise until later that the children were operated on one at a time - I had assumed that there were different surgeons due to the different medical issues.

I have tips for parents:

Bring a reuseable lidded cup if you’re going to Phoenix Ward. A hot coffee is nice while you wait!

Don’t bring any hot drinks to Wizard Ward. 

If you have to apply cream or ointment to your child’s sore stitched wound, do it while they’re asleep!