Chapter 13: Hospital

The time spent in hospital can be difficult for some children and their parents. The child may exhibit temporary emotional and behavioural changes and may refuse to co-operate with doctors and nurses. This is not at all unusual. It is best that you warn your child that he or she is coming to hospital and explain, within the limits of his or her understanding, what to expect. Many hospitals, such as The New Children's Hospital, Westmead, run a hospital preparation programme. As well, there are several picture books, activity and colouring books, videos, play kits with reading booklets, pamphlets and brochures available from the Association for the Welfare of Child Health (AWCH). There are Branches in every State.

Articles on this topic, available from Cleft-PALS, include:

• 'The Need to be with a Small Hospitalised Baby' by Kerry Callaghan
• 'Toys and Activities for Play in Hospital' by Christine Rankin

Even the very young child can be introduced to the concept of hospital through play with the child's favourite toy. The whole process can be made much less difficult if one or both parents can spend as much time as possible with the child in hospital, playing, feeding and caring for him or her.

There is usually free visiting around the clock for parents and, if required, arrangements can be made for one or both parents to live in at the hospital throughout the period of hospitalisation.

Pre-Admission Testing Services

The New Children's Hospital at Westmead conducts a Pre-Admission Testing Service. This service allows Doctors and Nurses and other health professionals to assess your child's health status prior to admission into hospital. This Pre-Admission Service is conducted one to two weeks prior to admission and the Bed Allocations Department will notify parents of the time and date of the appointment.

After the pre-admission appointment there is the opportunity to tour the ward. This will give you an idea of the ward layout and enable you to meet some of the staff who will assist you in the care of your child while in hospital.

Children who have attended a Pre-admission Testing Service will be admitted to hospital on the day of surgery, as all the necessary nursing, medical assessment and admission paper work have been completed at the Pre-Admission visit.

Children living over 200 kilometers from the hospital are not required to attend this clinic, as they will be admitted the day before surgery and their health status will be checked on that day.

Further Information

To obtain further information on "Cleft Lip and Palate: A Parent's Guide", please contact Belinda Liston:

Jill Barbuto
Cleft Palate Clinic Coordinator
The Cleft Palate Clinic
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Locked Bag 4001
WESTMEAD NSW 2145
AUSTRALIA
T: + 61 2 9845 2079
F: + 61 2 9845 2078
E: Jill.barbuto@health.nsw.gov.au