We will help you find all of the information you need before you come to hospital for an overnight stay or longer.

About the In-Patient wards

Our wards

The In-Patient wards are for patients who come into hospital and will have to stay at least overnight. You may have been admitted urgently or arrangements may have been made to admit you for a planned stay.

At Sheffield Children's Hospital we have several In-Patient wards you can visit their individual pages to find out more.

Medical wards M1, M2 & M3

Surgical wards S1, Neurosurgical S2, and S3

Intensive care unit, high dependency care and neo-natal unit

Visit Ryegate House pages to find out more.

What if I have questions?

Write down any questions and keep them with you to discuss with the doctor or your nurse. Your child will be seen once per day by your consultant’s team and will be reviewed as necessary by other doctors.  Our patient advice & liaison service (PALS) is also there to support you should you need additional help.

What should I bring?

• Appointment letter, SS benefit books
• Medications
• An overnight bag; pyjamas, change of clothes, toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush etc)
• Books/comics/toys/school work
• Try not to bring valuables. The Trust cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage of valuables.

Arriving on the ward

What happens when we arrive at the ward?

You will be met by a nurse who may take a brief history and carry out some observations on your child, such as weight, temperature, pulse etc. A doctor will meet with you to examine your child, discuss any treatment and ask a few more questions. You may be asked to sign a consent form to show that you understand what is going to happen. Your nurse will put a wristband on your child, it is important that it stays on whilst your child is in hospital. Please let a nurse know if it comes off.

Can parents stay overnight?

Parents are encouraged to stay overnight with their child. The wards have fold away beds by the side of the child’s bed for one parent to stay overnight.

Parent Rooms

The hospital also has a facility called Tree Tops with 10 rooms for parents, run by The Sick Children’s Trust. Tree Tops includes a kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities away from the wards. The ward staff can make enquiries for you on admission. Unfortunately parent rooms cannot be booked in advance. There are two bedrooms for parents next to the Intensive Care Unit. PACT House is situated a short walk from the hospital and provides a home from home for families using Ward M3. For nearby hotels and bed & breakfast visit the Yorkshire South website.

Will it be noisy at night on the ward?

We try to quieten the wards down each evening but caring for patients goes on at all times of the day and night. Staff do try to be as quiet as they can. You can help with this by asking your visitors to leave and turning mobile phones off after 9 p.m.

Will my child have a single room?

There are small numbers of single rooms or cubicles and these are usually used by patients at risk from infection or suffering from an infection. Most children are nursed in a bay of four – seven patients within an individual ward. Bays will often have boys and girls together. If you would prefer your child not to be in a mixed bay, please discuss this with the nurse in charge – we will try to assist, if at all possible.

Keeping busy on the ward

Toys and games

Each ward has a Play Specialist who is able to provide toys and games for children and young people of all ages.

Patients may wish to bring small toys, books, comics or homework to occupy their time.

What about school?

If your child is expected to stay in for a couple of days or more one of our teachers will see your child and set work appropriate to their needs.
If you plan to bring electronic games please ask the play specialist to ensure the equipment is tested before you plug anything into the wall. Please note the trust cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage of valuables.

Television, phone & internet

Each bed has a bedhead TV with pre-set parental controls.

Youth work

There is a youth room on ward M2 where our resident youth worker is based. It is designed for young people aged 12 and up to get away from parents and staff. Ask your nurse about accessing facilities in the youth room.

Facilities on site

Refreshments

In Sheffield Children’s Hospital, the Parkside Restaurant is near the outpatient department and is open for breakfast, lunch and tea.

• Breakfast 7.30am-11.30am
• Lunch 12noon-3.30pm
• Tea  4.30pm-7.30pm

There is also a small café situated in the main entrance open 8am till 7pm. A number of vending machines are in the hospital and serve snacks and hot food.

Shops and supplies

In the main entrance there is a newsagents and League of Friends shop. Please check opening times on the signs in the shops. A trolley service visits the in patient wards selling sweets, drinks, magazines and newspapers most weekday mornings.

Telephones and mobile phones

There are a number of payphones around the hospital. Mobile phones are permitted in all areas except, Intensive Care, the Neonatal ward and Theatres. Please do not take pictures without permission and ensure the mobile is set to silent.

Cash machines and cash back

The nearest cash machine can be found at the University of Sheffield Student Union on Western Bank or in nearby Broomhill. Parkside Restaurant can provide cash back for debit cards only.

Are the wards locked?

All ward areas are secured all of the time. Only staff access using a security card. Parents and visitors are asked to press a call button and wait for staff to answer and let them in.

Religious needs

There is a Chaplaincy Centre available to all who wish to spend some time in prayer or quiet reflection. The hospital has Chaplains of all denominations with access to leaders of all faiths. The Chapel and Prayer room is open 24 hours a day and can be found on D Floor in the main entrance block, next to the Cystic Fibrosis Centre, the office extension is 7338 (0114 271) or speak to any member of the nursing staff.