Welcome to Outwood ward

This is a children’s ward. It has 29 beds and the children range from 0 to 16 years old. Our matron is Kelly Beresford-Ward. The ward is run by our Ward Manager Sam York and a team of qualified Paediatric Nurses and Nursing Assistants.

Ward staff

There is a nurse in charge on every shift who manages the running of the ward. Your child will be allocated a nurse per shift basis. Your nurse will introduce themselves at the beginning of each shift and go through your child’s plan of care. They will also discuss any medication that your child might be on.

The Nurses’ shifts on the ward are:

• Day shift -7:30am to 8:00pm
• Night shift - 7:30pm to 8.00am.

The nurse in charge will hand over to the next set of staff for half an hour at the end of each shift. This enables patient information to be passed on in confidence.

Medical staff

As well as Nursing staff, Paediatric Doctors and Consultants work on the ward. The Paediatric Doctors and Consultants will discuss your child’s care and any changes in their medical condition during their ward round. They will also discuss any results, for example blood tests and x-rays. Please feel free to ask any questions or ask for clarification during this time.

If you or nursing staff are concerned about your child’s medical condition, a doctor’s review can be requested at any time.

Ward layout

The ward consists of cubicles and bays. Children are allocated beds due to medical diagnosis and age. There is a call bell and emergency bell by each bed - your nurse will explain how and when to use each, but please be aware that if it is not an emergency your call bell may not be answered immediately.

Ward routine

The Paediatric medical team will start the ward round about 9:30am. This will continue until all the children are seen. At busy times the ward round may run on into the afternoon.

Sometimes your child will be under the care of another speciality and not the Paediatricians. Their reviews will happen at different times, sometimes first thing in the morning, lunchtime or early evening, as children are reviewed between operating times. The ward operates 24 hours a day and can have admissions during the night. Nursing staff try to be as quiet as possible, but children often require nursing care during the night as well as the day.

Visiting times

One parent/carer can be with the patient at all times, while a second visitor is allowed between 8am-8pm. A bed will be provided for one carer to stay with your child overnight. We encourage you to stay with your child as much as possible.

Housekeeping

We have small selection of food on the ward, but food is provided from the main hospital kitchen for the children and one resident parent. Mealtimes are around 8am, 12pm and 5pm.

Our housekeeper will give out menu cards for you or your child to fill in. If your child has special dietary requirements, please let us know so we can order food especially.

Facilities

There is a parent’s room on the ward which stocks tea and coffee. These need to be in lidded mugs. You are also free to bring in food from home which will need labelling and can be stored in the parent’s room fridge. There is also a microwave that you can use.

There are bathrooms with baths or showers which you and your child can use. We can provide towels, but you will need to bring other toiletries. We have a small playroom on the ward and two play specialist who works during the week.

At the main entrance of the hospital there is a WH Smith which also sells M&S food and coffee. Boots pharmacy is also located in that part of the hospital.

The hospital canteen opens at 7:30am and closes at 7:15pm and is open to the public.

At the East Entrance of the hospital there is a cash machine. Another cash machine is available near Boots in the main entrance.

Opening times and further information about these facilities are on a notice board in the parents’ room.

Car parking is free for parents only. The ward clerk will validate your car parking on discharge, once you give them your registration.

Admission

On admission to the ward, the nurse admitting you will show you round the ward and complete an admission pack. This enables the nurse to establish your child’s healthcare needs and explain medical care with you. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Members of staff are here to help and support you throughout your child’s admission.

Discharge

Your child will be discharged from the ward when the doctors feel they are well enough to go home. You may be moved to our discharge area whilst waiting for your discharge letter and medications.

The ward can be very busy, and the doctors do not start discharge paperwork until the end of ward round. Doctors do their best to complete discharge letters as quickly as possible, but they can be delayed if busy.

Pharmacy

If your child is sent home with medication, it will need to be ordered from the pharmacy. The pharmacy can be busy as they cover the whole Trust, so the dispensing of drugs can take time.

We can discharge children any time of day or night. Your nurse will be able to give you an estimation of your discharge time.

Please come and speak to any of the staff if you have any questions or concerns, we are here to help.

Children’s Day Procedures Unit is a 7 bedded unit, opened in 2024, which provides a designated facility for children and young people that need elective day surgery and other planned medical procedures. We work closely with Royal Alexandra Hospital in Brighton and specialities within our trust such as paediatric, ENT, orthopaedics and dental to provide streamlined patient specific care from the start of the child’s hospital journey to the end.  

As well as daily surgical and medical patients, we provide a daily preassessment service which gives us the opportunity to communicate with parents and care givers before their child’s surgery date and for parents to ask questions should they have any. From this, we can arrange for any extra support we feel may be necessary before and on the day of surgery.  

Children’s Day Procedures Unit is located between Tilgate and Woodland wards on Level 1 in the Green Zone (previously known as ‘Medical Escalation’) of East Surrey Hospital. It will be open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7:30pm. Contact details are as follows: 

Clinical Lead for Planned Care -  Dr Katie McGlone  

Associate Chief Nurse for Children and Young People – Kayleigh Goddard 

Matron for Children and Young People – Rachel Potter 

Interim Ward Manager – Ciara Humpherston  

Extension number for Children’s Day Procedures Unit - 1160 

Our Play Team includes one Senior Health Play Specialist & two Health Play Assistants 

who help provide play activities, spend time with children and young people, and contribute to creating a welcoming and positive environment on the ward. Their support helps us offer more opportunities for play, distraction, and fun during a child’s hospital stay. We are also supported by dedicated hospital volunteers.  We cover the service Monday – Friday.

Our Play Team helps to make your child’s hospital stay as comfortable and positive as possible. We aim to reduce fear and anxiety by creating opportunities for play in a safe, familiar, and welcoming environment.

We support children, young people, and their families in many ways. This includes therapeutic play to help children understand and cope with treatments or procedures, as well as fun play sessions to reduce stress and provide enjoyment during their time in hospital.

Why is play important in hospital

Play is an essential part of every child’s development. From an early age, play helps children learn, build relationships, express themselves, and enjoy life.

Being in hospital can feel overwhelming for children and young people. They may feel worried, frightened, or isolated from friends, family routines, and familiar surroundings. Play can help make this experience easier.

Play in hospital can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Help children rebuild confidence and self-esteem
• Provide a safe way to express feelings such as anger, fear, or frustration
• Help children understand their illness, treatment, or procedures
• Support assessment and diagnosis
• Aid recovery and rehabilitation

(Source: National Association of Health Play Specialists) 

“Play is not just about having fun; it is a fundamental part of children’s health and wellbeing, helping them cope with illness, treatment and hospitalisation.” — NHS England

How the Play Team prepare children for procedures

Healthcare Play Specialists help children and young people understand what will happen during treatment, tests, or procedures. This helps reduce fear and gives children more confidence.

We use a range of approaches tailored to each child’s age, needs, and understanding, including:

• Role play with medical equipment models
• Practising with real medical equipment where appropriate
• Using teddies or dolls to demonstrate procedures
• Photo stories or social stories about theatre or specific procedures
• Apps and digital resources
• Teaching coping strategies such as distraction or guided imagery
• Talking through the process in an age-appropriate way
• Visiting the area where a procedure will take place

How we make it fun in hospital

The Play Team provides activities at the bedside, in the playroom, or in teen spaces. We offer individual or small-group sessions, particularly for children who are staying in hospital for longer periods or who are feeling anxious or distressed.  We cater for ages and abilities.

The Outwood Ward Playroom is open during the following times:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm (supported by the Play Team)
• Weekend: 10:00am – 12:00pm and 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Weekend playroom sessions provide children with continued opportunities for play and recreation while in hospital, helping to maintain a welcoming and child-friendly environment outside of the Play Team's weekday service.

Support for families

We support parents and carers by helping explain complex illnesses, treatments, or procedures in child-friendly ways. We can also provide valuable breaks while your child is engaged in activities.

Siblings may also feel worried, confused, or left out when a brother or sister is in hospital. The Play Team can support siblings by helping them understand what is happening and by providing activities to keep them engaged and comfortable during visits.

How are play resources funded

Many of our toys, activities, and resources are funded through generous donations, including support from:

• SaSH Charity, whose fundraising helps enhance the play experiences we provide
• Our Amazon Wishlist, which allows supporters to donate toys, games, and activity resources directly to the Play Team

Please note:

• Due to infection control protocols, we are unable to accept used toys, teddies, or any other pre-loved items

If you would like to support our work or find out more, please speak to a member of the Play Team.

Martha’s Rule, Paediatric Call for Concern (C4C) enables you to call for urgent help and advice if you have serious concerns that your health condition or a relative’s/friend’s health condition is worsening and is not being adequately addressed by their healthcare team.

When can I make a Paediatric C4C?

You can call if you notice a serious change or deterioration in your/their health condition and feel the healthcare staff are not addressing the concerns.

Who can make a Paediatric C4C?

Patients, relatives, carers and advocates in Paediatric areas.

Follow these steps to make a Paediatric C4C:

• Step 1 – Discuss the concerns with the ward nurse or doctor.
• Step 2 – If you feel the concerns are not being appropriately responded to, discuss them with the nurse in charge of the shift.
• Step 3 – Telephone Paediatric C4C with your serious concerns about a health condition that is getting worse and is still not being adequately addressed.

Ring 01737 768511 and ask the operator to put out a ‘Paediatric Call for Concern’.