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Patient zone Teenage questions Some Questions young people may have before they come into Alder Hey for treatment Coming into hospital for treatment can be a confusing and worrying time for many people. Although the reasons for your admittance will have been explained, you may have other questions about your stay that you would like answers to. To find out what is important to young people and what young people thought was important to them we worked with pupils from Shorefield Technical College in Liverpool to find out what they wanted to know. As a result of this work we have put the questions to managers and they have provided the answers below We hope the information will make
your experience of the hospital a better one. General
Quesitions You can have the choice as to what to look at. I hope you find the information useful.
Will it be OK for me to bring in some of my own things to help pass the time? Yes, but please think carefully about what you bring in especially if they are expensive. We cannot take responsibility for any items if they go missing or are stolen. Can I bring my playstation into the ward? Yes but it will have to be tested by our electricians to make sure it is safe before you can use it – even if the playstation is brand new. Can I use my computer in hospital? You can use a lap top if it is battery powered.If you need to charge the batteries whilst you are in hospital our electricians would need to test the charger before it is used Can I use my IPOD when I come into hospital? Yes, IPODS would not need to be tested as they do not send or receive electrical signals If you need to charge the batteries whilst you are in hospital our electricians would need to test the charger before you use it. Can I bring my portable television into the ward? If you have a small hand-held television it would not be a problem, but please remember we are extremely limited for storage space. Most beds have access to a TV. Do the televisions on the wards have SKY TV? No. What time will the television be switched off at night time? Usually at 9.00pm What time will the television be switched on in the morning? Normally at 7.00 am. Can I use my mobile phone to ring my friends? This is not permitted. If you are able to leave the ward, you may use a mobile phone outside the hospital building. Can I text my friends? No this is not permitted in the hospital at the moment. Can I use my mobile phone to take photographs? You have to have consent of the person you want to take a photograph of before you take the photograph. You need to make sure that if there are other people in the background they give their consent as well. Not everybody wants to have their photograph taken and you have to respect their wishes. Can my friends visit me? Yes so long as make sure your parents agree and you have had permission from the ward staff beforehand How many can visit me at one time? Two of your friends can visit you at any one
time. Within visiting times only. Please check with ward staff for visiting times Can my friends stay overnight? No . Can my Mum and Dad stay with me all the time? Parents can visit for as long as they wish whilst you are in hospital. Will I be able to get my own room? Only if you need one for medical reasons. Our bedrooms are for patients who require isolation, this means that they may have an infection which may be passed on to other patients, or they may very sick and may be more at risk of picking up an infection. Unfortunately we do not have bedrooms for patients who wish to be alone. How many beds are there in a ward? This varies from ward to ward but as a rough guide there are between 14-22 beds in each ward. Are boys and girls of all ages mixed together in a ward? Yes. Can I wear my own clothes? Yes. The wards are warm and you may be too hot if you bring in thick woolly clothes. Please remember the wards are mixed, so do not bring anything in that is too revealing or will embarrasses other patients. I have a lot of jewellery that I like to wear all the time, will this cause a problem? You should talk to your nurse about this as some jewellery may have to be removed so we can treat you. Please remember, we cannot be responsible if jewellery goes missing so you may wish to leave it at home. Can I ask to be separated from other patients if I want to? We try to provide an environment to suit all; unfortunately we do not have the facilities to ensure that patients have an area just for themselves, unless they require isolation for medical reasons. I sometimes get very moody and don’t want anyone to see me, is there somewhere I can go to shut myself away from everybody else? We try to allow privacy but it may be difficult. Talk to your nurse and he/she may be able to find a private area for you for a short time to overcome your feelings of wanting to be alone Can I leave the ward at any time? You should discuss this with the nurse in charge or your nurse for the shift. Your parents must give us their consent to allow you to leave the ward without supervision. We have to know where you are at all times in cases there is a fire and also for your own security. Sometimes I get angry when I am scared or nervous , what will happen to me if I don’t behave myself? We understand that people can get anxious whilst they are in hospital but the Trust will not tolerate anyone who is physically or verbally abusive to members of staff. Can I choose what food I want to eat? You can choose food from a menu we provide - unless you are on a prescribed diet. A hostess attends the wards on a daily basis to find out what food you have chosen from the menu. I am a vegetarian, is there much to choose from? A number of fish and vegetarian meals are available. Animal fat is not used when vegetarian meals are being prepared. What can I do if I don’t like the food? Please talk to your named nurse and catering hostess as we may be
able to offer you alternative meals. We try to keep your routine as normal as
possible as if you were at home. We would only assist patients
if they require help. You will be given advice if you require help
or supervision following an operation or if you cannot wash yourself
at all. Yes, please bring in any school work if you wish, we have teachers on the ward who will help you. What will happen to me if I don’t want to do school work? We will discuss this with you, your
parents and your nurse to decide if you are well enough to be taught. You should talk about this with your nurse
and doctor because we want you to be involved in your treatment.
Sometimes the decisions will be made by your parents. You need to know what
happen to you if you refuse treatment or want alternative treatment. We are a smoke free site that means you cannot smoke in anywhere in the hospital or the hospital grounds. Am I allowed to drink alcohol? No - it may affect the medication that your are given, alcohol is not allowed on the hospital site.
What happens if I have a period whilst I am in hospital? Tell your named nurse you are having a period and she will explain what to do. Can I use tampons? You need to discuss with your nurse especially if you have had or
about to have surgery. We will aim to respect your dignity at all times. Tell your nurse so that appropriate preparation can be made during surgery. I think I might be pregnant; do I have to tell anyone? Yes, it is very important that you tell us as soon as possible so we can make sure you have the appropriate care. This is essential if you are due to have any treatments/investigations or medicines. I’m on the pill; do I have to tell you? Yes. You may have to stop taking the pill if you are going to have an operation or because it may react with the medicine your doctor has prescribed. Confidentiality will be maintained if your parents do not know you that are taking the pill. Can I use my hair straightners and hair dryer? They will have to be tested by our electricians before being used. However you can get canister straightners and curlers. Am I allowed to shave my legs and under my arms? Yes. Yes. Nail varnish will have to be removed if you are going to theatre for an operation.
What can I do if I do not want a female nurse looking after me? Talk to the Ward Manager or the/nurse in charge. We do not have lots of male nurses and we try our best to make sure that there are male staff available. Can I shave? Yes. Yes. Can I use deodorant and aftershave? Yes. |
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