Other wards

Ward: Children’s Observation Unit

Box: 87

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Hills Road,

Cambridge,

CB2 0QQ

 

Enquiries: extension 58313

About the ward

 

The COU is a facility that is used for paediatric patients (up to their 16th birthday) who require a short period of observation and/or treatment. It will also be used for patients who need a short admission in order for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions, which are expected to improve to the extent that discharge home for community care takes place within 24 hours. This may involve either emergency or routine elective admissions. Patients may be admitted to COU first before requiring inpatient admission to one of the children’s wards beyond 24 hours.

 

This COU is located on level 3 of the Emergency Assessment Unit. It is a 5 bedded area of which one is a cubicle. One room is designated for paediatric rapid review clinics which are held Monday to Friday. Also, a child appropriate waiting area/play-room, a breastfeeding room and disabled facilities are provided.

 

The maximum length of stay for patients on the unit will be 24 hours.

 

Finding the Children’s Observation Unit

 

 COU can be found on level 3 of the hospital.

 

From the main hospital entrance: Turn right as you enter through the revolving door, turn left and walk past the hairdresser, across the corridor to the C and D ward lifts. Use the stairs or lift to go up to level three (one floor up from the Concourse). As you exit the stairs or lifts, turn right, then right again as if you were heading towards Outpatients. The Children’s Observation Unit will be on your left.

 

If your child is likely to be hospitalised for two weeks or more, you can get a discounted parking ticket from the main reception. This allows you to exit from the car parks for 14 consecutive days from the day you validate the ticket. 

 

> Finding us - Parking ticket discounts

 

On arrival

 

Your allocated nurse will show you around the ward and ask for information about your child to enable her to care for them appropriately. You will be allocated a bed and you will have the opportunity to sleep next to your child. Please note that we can only accommodate one parent to sleep on the ward. Please ask your nurse about alternative accommodation if necessary.

 

Visiting hours

 

We operate an open visiting policy for parents until 2300 hours. We ask that other visitors leave at 1930 hours (lights out) to allow you and your child adequate rest. When you have visitors, please be considerate of other patients who may be feeling very unwell; a lot of noise or commotion may prevent them from resting.

Visitors are kindly requested not to sit on the patient's bed.

Because space is limited and to reduce infection, we do not allow cut flowers on the ward. Any flowers delivered will be placed in the day room.

To help us prevent the spread of any infections, please ask visitors to use the hand rub at the entrance to the ward on arrival and on leaving.

 

 

 

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Food and drink

 

Meal times for children are:

• Breakfast: 0800
• Lunch: 1200
• Dinner: 1700

Please speak to a member of staff if your child misses a meal for any reason.

We provide meals for breast feeding mothers and breakfast for resident parents.

Please do not bring hot drinks onto the ward - please use the parent’s room.

We provide baby food and some of the standard milk formulas. Please contact the ward if you are unsure what to bring with you.

 

 

Ward facilities

 

A parent/carer's bed is found next to every child's bed. We can only accommodate one parent/carer on the ward.

 

We have a playroom, teenage room, school room, parents room and laundry room.

 

There is a vending machine for Hospedia cards (for bedside TV and telephone use). in the main hospital concourse

 

Post is delivered twice a day to the ward. Outgoing post can be placed in the out tray on the reception desk.

 

Toilets on the wards are for the use of patients only. Toilets for visitors' use are situated on the main concourse.

 

Clothing and laundry

 

Relatives/friends take responsibility for laundering clothes.

 

 

Doctor's ward rounds

 

We have many different teams caring for children on COU. Times for ward rounds vary according to speciality - please ask the nurse caring for your child when this will be. If you are unable to be present for a ward round, we will arrange for one of the doctors to speak to you when you arrive.

Please note you may not see your child's consultant everyday.

These visits aren't just for them to tell you and your child things - they're an opportunity for you to tell them how you're child is feeling and ask any questions you may have.

Whenever a healthcare professional comes to see you during your stay, they should explain what they're doing or plan to do. If they don't - or you don't understand what they've said - don't be afraid to ask them to explain.

Many hospitals train student doctors on the rounds. If at any time you'd prefer they weren't present during an examination, let one of the nurses or doctors know.

 

End of your stay with us

 

The staff on the ward will let you know in advance when your child is likely to be discharged from the ward and will discuss going home with you.

Your child will be given a supply of medication the hospital doctor has prescribed and possibly a list to pass on to his/her GP.

The hospital doctors may want to see your child in their outpatient clinic at a later date.

 

 

 

 

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