Our 12-bed Paediatric Unit and its team of staff specialize in providing compassionate care to children 0 - 18 years of age who are suffering from a wide range of disease and illness. During your child's hospital stay you will meet many members of the health care team, but you will probably have the most interaction with your child's doctor and nurses. Your child's doctor is ultimately responsible for your child's care, but feel free to ask questions or voice concerns to any of the nurses or doctors you interact with.
What to Bring
Children admitted to the Paediatric unit are encouraged to bring the following items:
- Pyjamas
- Robe
- Non-slip shoes or slippers
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Brush or comb
- Soap
- Other personal items your child may need
Make a list of the items you bring in for your child and give it to your child's nurse. Be sure to take all outdoor clothing home and bring them back with you when your child is discharged.
What Not to Bring
Although we work hard to ensure a secure environment, the Hospital can not be held responsible for lost or stolen valuables. Therefore, leave the items listed below at home with family or a friend.
For safety reasons, do not bring:
Balloons and Latex Products Not Allowed
For the protection of patients, staff and visitors who may have a latex allergy/sensitivity, we ask that you do not bring latex products into the Hospital. If your child has a latex allergy, inform a health care professional upon admission.
Paediatric Playroom
We make every effort to ensure a positive hospital experience for children by providing access to a large playroom with a great selection of toys and books. We also provide television sets at the bedside, and a DVD and video games that can be brought right to your child's room. You are welcome to bring your child's favourite toy or blanket, but be sure to label these items with your child's name.
Keeping Informed
A child's illness can be stressful and tiring for a family. We understand that there will be times when you are not able to visit your child. To ask about your child at any time feel free to call the nursing station at 905-895-4521, ext. 2617.
When you are not at the hospital, you can be assured the nursing staff will contact you if:
- There is a change in your child's condition.
- The nursing staff are unable to settle your child.
- Your child is sick and wants to see a parent.
Make sure we always have a telephone number where you can be reached. Information can only be given to parents.
Staying Overnight
One parent is welcome to stay overnight.
Guidelines for parent/guardians staying overnight:
- Only one parent/guardian (must be at least 18 years of age) may stay overnight.
- A cot will be provided when available. If possible, bring your own pillow, sleeping bag and toiletries. Some rooms cannot accommodate a cot; therefore, only a chair may be available.
- Fold up and store the cot in order for regular hospital activity to take place. Also, fold linen and store under the crib.
- Only a parent/guardian of the same sex may remain at night with an adolescent (10 - 18 years of age) due to the sensitivity of children this age. In any room occupied by an adolescent, only persons of the same sex are able to stay overnight. This policy is strictly enforced.
- During the night, nursing care continues to be provided; therefore, your sleep may be interrupted from time to time.
- Shower facilities are available for parent use. Bring your own towel, soap, etc. Limit the number of personal belongings you bring as your child's bedside table is the only available space for you.
- For sanitary reasons, we ask that all visitors use the visitor washrooms that are clearly signed and located by the entrance of our unit.
NOTE:
We are aware that you may wish to comfort another child whose parent is not present; however, for the protection of our children and families, we must ask that you not pick up or care for another child. Nursing staff would appreciate being notified of any child that needs care.
Leaving the Unit
A child may leave the unit accompanied by a parent only on the written order of the child's attending physician.
If you wish your child to leave the unit, request an order from the attending physician. Your nurse can assist you in making the request.
To ensure that staff is aware of your child's absence, you will be required to sign a logbook at the nursing station when leaving the unit and again upon your return. Unless your child is signed out for the entire day, it is suggested that any absence from the unit be brief so that you do not miss special investigations, treatments or physician visits.
Discharge
Your Health Care Team will determine when you and/or your child is ready to go home, and you will be given specific instructions to follow once you leave the hospital. You may also be given prescriptions for medication and a follow-up appointment time with your doctor.
Only parents or persons having legal custody may take a child home. If someone else is going to pick up your child, we must have written permission and that person must be 16 years of age or older and present a valid photo identification such as a driver's license.
All children must be accompanied from the Paediatric unit upon discharge.
The law requires babies and young children who are traveling by car to be in an approved safety car seat or booster seat.
Before leaving the hospital, go to Financial Services located on the main floor of the East Building to settle any outstanding charges. Patients going home on weekends will receive their bill in the mail for any outstanding charges.
For additional information, see our
Patient Amenities section of the website.
Responsibility of Family
In order that the discharge process proceeds as smoothly as possible, Southlake Regional Health Centre would appreciate if you and/or your family would:
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Provide necessary clothing to be worn at the time of discharge.
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Pack, remove and transport all personal belongings.
- Fill prescriptions for medications prior to or immediately following discharge. For your convenience, a Pharmacy is located on Level 1 of the East Building, just inside the main entrance.
- Make arrangements for the necessary equipment or home modifications as instructed by the Health Care Team.
- Be available to receive necessary instructions for you or your family member's care prior to discharge.
- Inform the Patient Care Unit of any unforeseen circumstances that may delay discharge.
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Have a certified car seat available at the time of discharge for infants or small children.
Helping Your Child Prepare for Surgery—"You're the Star" Program
Southlake Regional Health Centre has developed the "You're the Star" program to help children, ages 4 to 12, and their parents become acquainted with the hospital prior to surgery. Each child participates in a dress rehearsal where they are made the star and headliner of their own operation.
The program is designed to provide psychological preparation and support to reduce the stress associated with hospitalization and surgery for children. In keeping with our family-centred care philosophy, it involves both children and their parents.It also provides an opportunity for parents and children to identify and express feelings through puppet play or a slide show, hands-on exploration of commonly used medical equipment, and a tour of the operating and recovery rooms. Hospital clinical staff are in attendance to meet the children, answer questions and address fears associated with surgery.
It is "the unknown" that frightens children and affects their trust in adults; they need explanations in simple terms they can understand. The program teaches children what they need to know about coming to the hospital for an operation. Studies have shown that children who are prepared in advance are better able to deal with hospitalization and surgery than children who don't know what to expect. Their parents also experience less stress.
How to register:
It is recommended that your child attend the program one week prior to the date of surgery. The program is held once weekly, on a Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A volunteer will contact you one to two weeks prior to your child's surgery to register for this program.
For further information, 905-895-4521, ext. 2665.
Paediatric Oncology Clinic at Southlake
The Paediatric Oncology Clinic at Southlake is offered through a partnership with the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). The Clinic aims to provide care closer to home for children who have cancer. Our nurses, paediatricians, and staff work closely with SickKids to provide patients with their established treatment schedule in their own community. In addition, the Clinic relieves patients and their families from the burden of repeated trips to Toronto, or having to live separately while the child is receiving treatment at SickKids.
Southlake's Paediatric Oncology Clinic is part of POGO's Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite Program which ensures a high standard of care throughout the province through consistent practice, standards and guidelines, the coordination of care between the satellite site and the tertiary centre, ongoing education, and a coordinated system of consultation for doctors, nurses, and all other health care professionals involved in the delivery of care.
Southlake's Paediatric Oncology Clinic offers a variety of services, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Blood specimen collection
- Blood and blood product transfusions
- Central line/port-a-cath care
- X-ray and ultrasound tests
- Vital signs monitoring
- Human immune globulin and factor transfusions
- Medication administration, such as IV Pentamidine
For more information about the Paediatric Oncology Clinic, call 905-895-4521, ext. 2231.
For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (e.g. parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) click on
Patient Amenities.