Avisit to hospital can be frightening for a person of any age, but it can be especially frightening for a child. To help prepare a child for hospital it is important to tell them, honestly and truthfully, why they need to go to hospital before they get there. Time to ask questions, and time for discussion with parents or their friends gives the child information and assurance. A child will most likely ask the same questions several times and each time the question is answered, they will absorb a little more information and gain reassurance. Simple words are best; be careful using humour or making jokes about going to hospital. Joking can confuse and frighten a child. Hospital themed role-play is a more helpful option. Depending on the age of your child, hospital play activities such as bandaging a teddy, listening to family members’ heartbeats or practising taking medicine can help prepare a child. Reading books together about going to hospital can also be helpful. Involve your child in packing for hospital. Make sure you include a favourite doll, blankie, teddy, or other comfort item with them to hospital. You might want to pack a favourite activity, or maybe a new one especially for hospital. Tell your child’s school, kindergarten, or childcare centre about their admission to hospital. They will also be able to help prepare your child. Reassure your child that you will be coming and staying with them. This can also be a scary and tiring experience for a parent. Do as much as you feel comfortable with in caring for your child. For example, helping to shower/bathe, feed, cuddle, and play with your child on the ward, as well as going with them for medical procedures, tests, or treatments. Feel free to speak to your child’s nurse about how much you want to be involved. Usually, you will be able to stay overnight in the hospital ward with your child. This will generally be in a sofa bed or a reclining chair next to your child’s bed. Parents can be with their child at all times on the ward. Ask the ward staff about visiting times for other family members and visitors. You will have a direct phone number and phone near your child’s bed so that others can speak to you or your child while they are in hospital. CHILDREN’S HEALTH Tips Simple words are best; be careful using humour or making jokes about going to hospital. Joking can confuse and frighten a child. • Be honest about telling your child why they need to go to hospital. • Involve the child in the preparations for hospital e.g. let them pack their bag or choose new pyjamas to take with them. • Allow plenty of time for play and questions about going to hospital. • Talk to your child’s school, kindergarten / child care centre. • Allow plenty of time for readjustment when your child returns home again. • NEVER threaten your child with a return to hospital, as a punishment. • If your child is under six years of age, tell your child a couple of days beforehand. • If they are more than six years old, tell them a week or two beforehand. When Your Child Goes Home A visit to hospital is a big event in a child’s life, even if it is only for a day procedure. It is not unusual for a child’s behaviour to change after they leave hospital. They might be clingy, attention seeking or have ‘babyish’ behaviours (like sucking their thumb), which they had grown out of. With time, patience and understanding, your child will soon return to their normal self. Siblings may also be clingy, or show attention-seeking behaviours. It has been different for them too, so allow time for their questions and try to also involve them in events. Again, allow your child plenty of time to ‘play’ about being in hospital. They have more information and experience now, and need to play out these experiences to make sense of, and cope with them. pm pindaramagazine.com.au
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue One
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