Coming into hospital can seem a bit scary, especially if you've not been before or you've never been away from your family.

Children and young people staying on the Children's Unit put together a list of questions that they feel other children may have when going to hospital.

We hope you'll see it's not that scary after all.

All of the staff are really friendly and there are lots of fun things to do to keep you busy. 

If you have a suggestion to add to the questions, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). 

Visitors during your stay

Yes, your family and friends are welcome to visit you during your stay.

Your parents can visit you at any time.

Other family members and your friends can visit you 2.30pm-4.30pm, and then again 6.00pm-7.00pm (after you've had dinner).

We have a playroom for younger children and a separate room for older children to keep you busy and having fun at other times.

One parent or carer or another relative can stay with you overnight.

We provide reclining chairs by your bed so they can sleep next to you.

We'll give them pillows and blankets to keep them warm and comfy.

People you will see during your stay

Your parents or carers can stay with you at all times.

When you arrive at the Children's Unit, you will be allocated a children's nurse who will care for you during your stay.

Because the nurses work shift patterns more than one nurse may look after you, but they will all tell you their names and make you feel very welcome.

Your nurse will talk to you about your care and explain everything that is going to happen throughout your stay.

They will make sure you're involved at all times and feel happy with what's going on.

If you have any questions, there will always be someone available for you to talk to.

Every morning the doctors do a ward round.

The hospital doctors are specialist doctors called consultants.

So as well as your nurse caring for you, you will also be seen by a consultant.

They will discuss your care and treatment with you, and they will involve your parents at all times as well.

Other hospital staff on the children's ward who may help to look after you are called nursery nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and dieticians.

Physiotherapists help to get your muscles working if they have got stiff or weak.

Dieticians help you get the right food to get fit and healthy again.

There are also two play specialists on the ward.

The ladies on the desk are our ward clerks.

They help to book children in and out of the wards and answer the telephone.

The ward is kept clean by hospital cleaners called domestics.

Most medicines on the Children's Unit are given by mouth with a syringe or spoon. 

If we do need to give you an injection, we can apply magic cream or numbing spray to the skin first so it doesn't hurt as much.

Your mum or dad can stay with you whilst your having the injection. We will give you a sticker afterwards for being brave.

What it's like on the Children's Unit

We have a range of cereals or toast for breakfast.

There is a water fountain on the ward where you can get a cold drink or squash whenever you like.

Lunch and dinner are served on a trolley and you come to the reception area and choose what you would like to eat.  We have lots of hot food options.

We also have sandwich bags with crisps, fruit and a biscuit.

If you ever get hungry just ask and we can make you some toast or get you a sandwich bag.

Yes, the beds are all electric and move up and down and can be adjusted to make you comfortable.

Please ask if you need an extra pillow or blankets to keep you warm.

Every bed on the children's ward has a TV monitor beside the bed.

The TV needs to be registered before you can watch it but your mum or dad can do this for you. 

TV is free on the children's ward but they all go off at 7pm so you can get some rest.

If you would like to watch TV after this time you will need to buy a TV card. 

You can bring your mobile phone or tablet with you, but we don't have chargers so you will need to bring your own.

If you want to use your mobile you will need to go out into the main corridor.

Each TV monitor by the side of your bed has a landline phone attached that you can use to dial in and out.

We have a school room for you to use, plus work and activities can be brought to your bed.

We also have a play specialist who can provide you with colouring and activities to do.

There is a playroom with lots of toys and a separate room where older kids can hang out.

We have DVDs and a PlayStation for you to use too.

There is lots to keep you entertained on the Children's Unit so you won't get bored!