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| | This section is especially for children who have to travel off-island for treatment.
It will also answer those questions your parents might have about why you need to travel away. |
| | | 1.Why is it not possible for my child to have medical treatment in Guernsey? | It is not always possible to treat all childrens' conditions on the island as the treatment required maybe of a very specialised nature that cannot be provided through the normal channels. Your child will be referred to the hospital in the UK who specialises in and has the appropriate equipment to treat your child's condition. All UK referrals are made in the best interest of your child.
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| | | 2.Can we as parents accompany our child and will there be any help with the cost of travel and accommodation? | If your child is less than 6 years of age and going to the UK for medical treatment both parents are allowed to accompany them and all travel expenses will be met by the Social Security Department Tel 732510.
However for children between 6 and 18 years of age the Social Security Department will usually pay for one parent to travel with the child. However, in certain circumstances where it is felt essential for both parents to be present a personalised application can be made to the SSD for consideration.
Most hospitals are able to accommodate at least one parent on the hospital site.
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| | | 3.How are travel arrangements made, do we have to do anything? | When your doctor decides to refer you to Jersey or the UK he will also write to Health and Social Services (HSSD) and Social Security Department (SSD) to inform them about your referral.
SOCIAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT
On receipt of the referral form from your doctor SSD will write to you asking you to contact on 739445 or 739446 when you receive your appointment or admission date. At the same time an order will be faxed to Uniglobe Travel authorising them to book your travel.
If you do not have time to apply for funding before you travel keep your ticket stubs and receipts and contact the Travel Grant Section (Tel 732510) on your return.
If you have any queries regarding your travel please contact the Travel Grant Section at SSD on telephone number 732510 or if you prefer call into the office at Edward T Wheadon House, Le Truchot, St Peter Port, GY1 3WH. The Travel Grant Section is on Level 2 but a lift is available if you cannot get up the stairs.
UNIGLOBE TRAVEL
When you receive your appointment or admission date please contact Uniglobe Travel 2 The Albany, South Esplanade St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 1AG Tel 737898 between the hours of 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday or 9.00am to 12.30pm Saturdays. They will be expecting your call and will make your travel arrangements.
Onward travel from the airport to the hospital will be arranged at the same time. For hospitals in Southampton a taxi is provided but for most other UK hospitals rail tickets will be provided. Travel cannot be organised or prepaid in Jersey but if you are travelling to the General Hospital keep your bus tickets and submit to SSD on your return. If travelling to the William Knott Hospital keep your taxi receipts and submit to SSD on your return.
If your doctor confirms that you are unable to use rail, underground or bus then a taxi will be funded.
Special requests for getting on the plane i.e. wheelchair, slow walker etc should be arranged when booking your flights. You should also mention if you are likely to be slow getting to the taxi in Southampton as waiting times are limited.
You can extend your stay in the UK or Jersey but you will be required to pay any extra costs. Please discuss your requirements with SSD staff before your tickets are issued as the cheapest possible tickets are usually booked which allow no changes. However should the hospital change your appointment or admission date new tickets will be funded. Tickets with some flexibility will be issued if your return date is in doubt.
Photo Identification - Photographic identity is now required at check-in desks. A local driving licence or passport can be used. Please note that the name on your ticket and the name on your identification must be exactly the same. If you do not have photographic identity an application form for the Guernsey Identification Card is available from SSD or the police station.
RELATIVE TRAVEL SCHEME SOUTHAMPTON AND GATWICK>
Flybe are currently offering a reduced fare on flights to Southampton and Gatwick for family travelling with, or visiting a Guernsey patient. This ticket allows one change at no extra charge providing the same class ticket is available on the alternative date. Please tell SSD staff if you wish to take advantage of this offer as Uniglobe Travel cannot issue these tickets without authorisation from SSD. Please note that a cheaper ticket with no changes may be available through Uniglobe Travel or the Internet.
HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE
The Health Travel Service run by the IEG at Beau Sejour on telephone 707470 runs a free and confidential, independent information service for islanders travelling to the UK or Jersey for medical/surgical treatment and consultations. Ask for the travel pack and accommodation list for relatives/carers and friends.
Health and Social Services Department (formerly Board of Health)- Reciprocal Health
For any support or enquiry relating to UK or Jersey Hospitals, contact Mrs Janet George who is the Reciprocal Health Contracts Manager. She can be contacted on the following:
Telephone - 725241 ext 4711
E-mail - JGeorge@health.gov.gg
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| | | 4. How will I be informed about the treatment my child will need or the operation that they may need to have? | It is essential that you ask your Guernsey Consultant the name of the UK Specialist he will be referring you to. At the consultation in England your child may not be seen by the actual named Consultant but maybe seen by one of the Specialist's medical team. At this stage find out by name exactly who you are seeing and their position within the team.
If your child is referred for treatment find out who will be the doctor giving the treatment or operating on your child. At this stage do not be afraid to ask about the medical or operating experience of the doctor who will be carrying out these procedures.
At this stage ask as many questions as you feel is relevant and necessary to allay any fears or anxieties you may have about the risk factors of the treatment or operation.
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| | | 5. Will I need to give written consent for my child to receive treatment? | Yes. If you child is under the age of 16 years you will be required to sign the Consent Form giving your permission to allow a doctor, physician, surgeon, radiologist or anaesthetist to carry out a definite named medical procedure, investigation, operation, biopsy or the removal of a named organ. This document will be signed by you the child's parent or guardian. Before giving consent it is in the interest of you and your child that you are both fully aware what is involved in the medical procedure and knowledgeable as to the outcome and prognosis before signing. Do not forget to ask any questions that you feel you have missed asking previously
If your child is 16 years of age or over he/she is allowed to sign their own consent form as this is the minimum statutory age.
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| | | Who you may see in hospital | | During your stay in the hospital you will meet many different people who work there. We will explain whom you will meet and what their job is. Each person may play a part in caring for you when you are sick in hospital |
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| | | The Doctor | You will be able to recognise the doctor as he or she usually wears a white coat and carries a stethoscope, which he uses to listen to your heartbeat.
His job is to find out why you are ill and then to try to make you better. He will make sure that you are prescribed the right medicines and treatment to make you feel well again. He will explain what will be happening to you and you will be able to ask him questions about your illness.
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| | | The Nurse | The nurses on your ward are the people you will see most during the day and also in the night. You will probably have one special nurse who will be looking after you. You will get to know the nurses very well and be able to talk to them about anything you may be worried about.
They will help you do things that you are unable to do yourself because of your illness. You will consider them to be your friends as well as the other children on the wards.
The nurses wear different colours and types of uniform, but on a childrens ward nurses usually wear trousers and a polo shirt. The person in charge of the nurses on your ward is called a Sister or in the case of a man he is called a Charge Nurse.
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| | | The Radiographer | | The Radiographer is a person who operates an X Ray machine. These machines take photographs of the part of the inside of your body that is causing you pain or problems. Your doctor can then see what the problem is. |
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| | | The Surgeon | Once they have found out what is wrong with you it maybe that you will need an operation. The surgeon is the man who will do it. He will come to see you before the operation. For the operation you will be taken to a room called a 'Theatre'. People who work in the theatre wear different clothing usually a gown a cap and a face mask which are usually green in colour.
After the operation you will feel much better.
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| | | The Anaesthetist | | The Anaesthetist is the doctor who will put you to sleep before your operation so that you do not feel anything. He will visit you on the ward before your operation. He will listen with his stethoscope to your heartbeat. If you ask him he will probably let you listen as well. You will see him just before you go into the theatre in a little room called the anaesthetic room. |
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| | | The Physiotherapist | | A physiotherapist knows how every joint, muscle and ligament in your body works. After your operation or treatment the physio may require you to carry out certain exercises which will help you to move about much easier. You will recognise the Physiotherapists who usually wear trousers and a hip length top which can be any colour but is usually white. |
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| | | The Hospital Porter | | The hospital porters are usually very friendly people who help move machines from room to room and bring the food trolley to your ward. They are also the people who will move you and your bed around the hospital when you need a test or operation. You may see them pushing wheelchairs and helping patients generally. |
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| | | Your day in hospital | A visit to the hospital can be for a day, a week or even longer, it depends on how quickly you get better.
SO WHAT WILL A NORMAL DAY IN THE HOSPITAL BE LIKE FOR YOU?
You will have your own named nurse who will wake you up in the morning and maybe give you some medicine or take your temperature. Your nurse may even visit you through the night to check how you are feeling.
Nurses are always on duty and will always be around you when you wake up, during the day, when you go to sleep and during the night so that you will never be alone.
MEALTIMES
If you are unable to get out of bed you will have your breakfast, lunch and dinner brought to your bed.
If you are well enough to get out of bed you will be allowed to sit at the table with other children. Try to eat as much as you feel able to as nourishing food will help you get better quicker.
VISITING
Your mum or dad may be able to stay with you all the time while you are in the hospital. Your family and friends will be allowed to visit you at certain times of the day.
PLAYROOM
There may be a playroom or special part of your ward where you find toys, games, things to make and do there will possibly a television and if you are lucky videogames.
PLAY SPECIALIST
A Play Specialist is a person who will talk to you and play games with you during your stay in hospital. You will be able to ask her questions about your treatment and about the hospital.
DOCTORS VISITS
During the day you will see doctors coming and going in the ward. You will recognise them as they usually wear white coats and carry a stethoscope that enables them to listen for any unusual noises in your chest. They may want to examine you and carry out certain tests to find out what is exactly wrong with you. The results of the tests will tell them the sort of treatment you will need.
ASKING QUESTIONS
Ask the doctor or nurse to explain to you about any tests, treatments that you may have to have or medicines that you may have to take so that you will understand the reasons for them being prescribed.
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| | | Treatment | The reason you will have treatment prescribed is to try to make you better.
Treatment could be taking your medicines at the right times,
The doctor listening to your heartbeat with a stethoscope.
Testing your blood.
Having a picture taken of part of your body, this is called an X Ray.
You may even have to have an operation and for this you will be asked to put on a funny sort of gown and hat and you will have a ride on a trolley to a room called a theatre.
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| | | Leaving the Hospital | When you leave the hospital you should be fit and well and in a short while able to go back to school and see all your friends.
Sometimes however because of all the treatment you may have had your body may need some extra rest, to get you back to your normal self. This is called building up your strength.
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| | | Getting better at home | Which may mean that you –
a) May have to continue to take medicine or tablets
b) Maybe have to have a special diet
c) Must eat all your meals
d) Maybe have to have a check up by the doctor or specialist
e) Will need have extra of rest and go to bed at a reasonable time
f) May have physiotherapy at home or at a clinic
g) May need to be visited by the Paediatric Community Nurse who is specially trained to look after children at home
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| | | Dictionary | NAMED NURSE - is a nurse who will be your very own special nurse and friend will you are in the hospital, she will know all about you and your illness and you will be able to ask her any questions about anything that is worrying you.
PULSE – Each time that your heart beats it can be felt as a pulse beat in your wrist. The number of times your heart beats in a minute can be counted by the doctor or nurse by holding your wrist and placing their fingers over the pulse beat.
BLOOD TEST – A blood test is a drop of your blood taken in order for the doctor to carry out certain tests to help him find out exactly what is wrong with you.
FRACTURE – A fracture is when a bone in your body breaks. In order to treat the fracture the doctor will need to take an X Ray picture to find out exactly where the bone is broken. You may need to have a plaster cast put around the broken area or you may even have to go to the operating theatre to have it repaired.
AURISCOPE – It is sometimes necessary to look into your ears and a special torch called an auriscope is used, this doesn’t hurt at all.
X RAY – X Rays are special pictures taken of part of the inside of your body taken by a special machine. The doctor is able to see exactly where and what your problem is and is able to prescribe the right treatment to make you better. You will feel nothing while this is being done but you will have to stay very still or the pictures will be blurred
PRESCRIPTION – your doctor will write down or suggest the treatment, medicine or tests that he or she feels that you will need to make you feel better.
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| | | Things to take with you | To wash and keep you clean while you are in the hospital you will need
Face cloth
Soap
Towel
It is important to look after your teeth, so you must bring your toothbrush and toothpaste
Don't forget your hairbrush and comb
Pyjamas or nighties and slippers
Most important don’t forget your favourite toys/cuddle blanket
If you are a very tiny patient don’t forget to bring your dummy and your favourite feeding bottle.
MESSAGE FOR MUM AND DAD -
a) Please don’t forget to put your child's name on their possessions.
b) Please remember to give the nurse on the ward any current medication your child may be taking at the time of admission.
c) It is important that the ward staffs know of any special dietary requirements and needs or anything your child may be allergic to.
d) If your child is under 5 years please remember to bring your Health Visitor Book
e) Should you have to stay in the hospital with your child be prepared and take an overnight bag with you
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| | | Play | | When you are feeling better you will be able to play in the play area with the other children. There will probably be a very nice lady who will look after you while you are playing with the toys. |
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| | | Preparing for hospital | Make sure you have asked your mum, dad or doctor why you are having to go into hospital. Find out exactly what is going to happen to you.
Make a list of your friends names and addresses or telephone numbers so that you can either write or speak to them while you are in the hospital. It is important that you keep in touch.
Find out as much about the hospital and the ward you will be staying on. The hospital may even allow you to visit the ward before you are admitted so that you will be familiar with the people who will be looking after you.
Part of your preparation for your stay in hospital will be to think about the things you will need to take to make your stay a pleasant one.
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| | | Things to take with you | You will need to take
Soap
Face cloth or sponge
Towel
Hairbrush and comb
Bobbles, pony tails, clips etc
Nightie or pyjamas slippers and dressing gown
If you need glasses don’t forget to take them with you
Most important is your toothbrush and toothpaste
Things to do -
Books, toys, gameboys, games, colouring books and crayons etc
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| | | My Treatment | Do you know why you are having hospital treatment and what is going to happen to you? Find out as much as you can by asking your mum and dad your doctor and once you arrive in the hospital the doctors and nurses who will be looking after you.
There is no need for you to worry about your treatment or your stay in the hospital as you can talk to your own nurse about anything that is worrying you.
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| | | Education | If you are being treated in Guernsey at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital when you feel well enough you could ask your school to give your mum and dad some school work for you to do so that you won't get behind.
If you are having your treatment in England your hospital may have teachers who help children with your education as soon as you are well enough while you are in hospital.
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| | | Preparing | When you receive your admission letter it may be in your interest to find out if you will be on the children's ward or in the case of an older teenager you could be given a bed on an adult ward. Find out as much information as you can by contacting the Admissions Department.
To ensure that you don't loose contact with your friends ask them to write to you to keep you up to date with all the latest news and gossip.
Make a list of your friends' addresses and telephone numbers so that you can contact them when you feel well enough.
Think about the things you will need to take with you well in advance.
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| | | Things to take with you | TOILETERIES
Face cloth
Soap
Towels
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Shampoo & conditioner
Shaving equipment (if needed)
Brush/comb, hairdryer
Nightwear, dressing gown and slippers
Tissues
Other essential items
Small money for the telephone
Money for hospital shop or trolley eg postage stamps, magazines, sweets
Books, comics,
Personal Audio equipment
Writing equipment
Games, gameboy etc
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| | | Understanding your condition and treatment. | Before going into hospital find out as much information as you can about your condition and intended treatment. The doctor, specialist and your parents will be able to give you any information you require. If you have any worries do not keep them to yourself, talk about them to other people because "a worry shared is a worry halved."
On your arrival in the hospital it is essential for you to understand your condition and any tests, treatment or operation you may have to have. Ask the doctors and nurses to explain at each stage what is going to happen to you and how you will feel after the treatment, test or operation. Do not be afraid to discuss with the staff any problem or worry you may have.
If you feel happy and confident with the treatment you are to have, then it is essential that you co- operate fully with the hospital staff for that is the best way to ensure that you get better quicker.
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| | | Education | | From 12 years to 18 years of age is a very important time in your educational life. If your stay in hospital is going to be a long one then it may be sensible for you to take some school work with you to complete when you are feeling strong enough, it will help you to keep up with the rest of the people in your class. You may be in a hospital that has educational facilities e.g. school, class or personal tuition |
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| | | Visitors | | Your parents will be able to visit you at any time of the day or night and in certain circumstances may be able to stay in the hospital with you. Your family and friends will be able to visit you at specially allocated times depending on how well you are. |
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