Frequently Asked Questions

• Travel and transport arrangements

  

  Q. What is the best way to travel to Sheffield Children's Hospital?

  A. Public transport...

  Q. Where can I park?

  A. There are limited parking facilities...

  Q. Do you have disabled parking?

  A. Yes, and for blue badge holders...

  Q. What are the charges for the car park?

  A. Depending on the site you visit...

• Missed appointments, cancellations and re-booking

  Q. What should I do if we cannot attend our appointment?

  A. It is important you tell us. Telephone the number shown on your appointment letter. If you have lost your letter contact our switchboard and tell them you wish to change your appointment they will direct you to the relevant team 0114 271 7000. 

  Q. I missed my appointment how do I re-book? 

  A. Telephone the number shown on your appointment letter. If you have lost your letter contact our switchboard and tell them you wish to change your appointment they will direct you to the relevant team 0114 271 7000. 

  Q. My child has an infection - can they still have their operation?

  A. Please get in touch with one of our team for advice. Telephone the number shown on your appointment letter. If you have lost your letter contact our switchboard and tell them you wish to change your appointment they will direct you to the relevant team 0114 271 7000. 

• On the day of the appointment or clinic   

  Q. Who needs to be there? 

  A. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the the child to appointments - check our pages on Preparing for outpatients, Preparing for day care and Preparing for an overnight stay for more details. 

  Q. What should I bring on the day we come in?

  A. Check our pages on Preparing for outpatients, Preparing for day care and Preparing for an overnight stay for more details about what to bring.

  Q. What time should we get there?

  A. Please allow time for travel and remember parking can be limited. Please note you will be seen in the order of the appointments sent out, rather than order of arrival.

  Q. How long will I have to wait?

  A. You will be seen in the order of the appointments sent out, rather than order of arrival. Sometimes delays will occur due to complex cases. Staff will try to keep you informed of delays.  

  Q. What happens at the clinic/appointment?

  A. Depending on what your child is being seen for, visit our outpatient and day care information pages to help you and your child prepare.  

• Finding your way around our hospitals and clinics

  Many of our sites are large and complex buildings. We often have a volunteer available at the main reception desk to help guide families to their destination. There are various maps around the sites to help you find your way. Any suggestions about how we can improve this are welcome - use our suggestion boxes on site to share your ideas.

• Our shops and facilities

  Q. Where can I buy refreshments? 

  A. There are several shops, cafes and vending machines located around the trust. Ask a member of staff to direct you or check our catering pages for more information about our facilities. 

  Q. Where can I get cash?

  A. We have no cash machines on site, at Sheffield Children's Hospital you can get cash back from the Parkside Restaurant. The nearest cash machines are located at the University of Sheffield, student union.

  Q. Telephones and mobile phones

  A. There are a number of payphones around Sheffield Children's Hospital.  Mobile phones are permitted in all areas except, intensive care, the neonatal ward and theatres.

• Interpreters and translation

  British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters are available on request please get in touch using the contact details on your appointment letter or contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) email linda.towers@sch.nhs.uk or telephone 0114 271 7594  

  Non-english speakers contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) email linda.towers@sch.nhs.uk or telephone 0114 271 7594

  Health professionals - if you are referring a patient who requires additional support please let us know with your referral information. 

• Supporting parents and children with disabilities and special needs

  Wheechair access

  The Trust buildings are DDA compliant and disabled parking is available on our sites.  You may want to discuss particular access issues with someone in advance of your visit - please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) email linda.towers@sch.nhs.ukor telephone 0114 271 7594  

  Child with autism spectrum disorder - support preparing them for appointment

  Many of our patients have complex needs and this can make planning visits to hospital a worrying time.  As your needs will be individual to you and your child we recommend you get in touch with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) email linda.towers@sch.nhs.uk or telephone 0114 271 7594 to discuss how we can support you to make your visit

  British Sign Language (BSL)

  British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters are available on request please get in touch using the contact details on your appointment letter or contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) email linda.towers@sch.nhs.uk or telephone 0114 271 7594  

  Guide dogs

  Guide dogs are permitted on our premises.  You may wish to plan ahead with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) email linda.towers@sch.nhs.uk or telephone 0114 271 7594  

• Visitors, visiting hours, siblings, hand washing and infection control, bringing pets, and more

  Q. How many visitors can my child have?

  A. Two visitors plus one parent...

  Q. Do you have set visiting hours?

  A. No, but we do ask visitors to leave by 9pm to help our patients get to sleep at bedtime.

  Q. Can I bring siblings to the ward?

  A. Under fives can only visit with permission of the nurse in charge.  Please limit the number of older siblings to ensure no more than two visitors plus one parent.

  Q. Is there more information about hand washing?

  A. Yes, please read our visitors page.

  Q. Can I bring my child's pet? 

  A. No pets are allowed, please speak to our Patient Advice and Liaison Service about your individual circumstances.

  Q. Where can I find out more? 

  A. Speak to our PALS team (0114 271 7594) about your enquiry or email your question.

   

• Breastfeeding and nappy changing

  Q. Where can I breastfeed my baby?

  A. Please ask a member of staff to direct you to the nearest breastfeeding facility on site. 

  Q. Where can I change my child's nappy?  

  A. Please ask a member of staff to direct you to the nearest facility to change nappies. 

• Non-smoking policy

  

  All NHS sites are smoke free areas.

  This includes the buildings and the grounds of all of our sites.  For the safety and comfort of our patients, visitors and staff smokers are requested to smoke away from our premises.  Please dispose of your litter responsibly.