For security reasons, ward doors are locked. To enter, press the buzzer outside the doors and wait for a reply. Staff may be unable to answer the buzzer immediately, so please be patient. On entering or leaving the ward, for security reasons please do not hold the door open for any other visitor who may not have authorised access.

Staff wear a name badge and in most of the wards you will find a picture board with photographs of the staff explaining who they are. A team of doctors led by a consultant, including specialist registrars, registrars and junior doctors look after each child.

Nursing staff include charge nurses, staff nurses, nursery nurses, student nurses, paediatric support nurses and auxiliaries. Other staff who come into the ward include physiotherapists, Family Support staff, chaplains, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, radiographers, social workers, dieticians, phlebotomists, the medical photographer, the respiratory technician, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

There are also staff based on the ward who help your child adapt to the new surroundings. The hospital play specialist can provide preparation and distraction for unpleasant procedures. All wards offer a pre-admission visit and an invitation will be sent to you, or you can telephone the ward and arrange a visit.

School teachers will see children who are going to have an extended stay in hospital and help them keep up with their school work. Radio Lollipop volunteers visit the wards in the evenings and weekends to entertain the children and run the radio station.

Staff from the Sick Kids Friends Foundation Drop In Centre and associated volunteers will come to the ward and explain what is on offer at the Centre.

• the WRVS canteen in the outpatient department offers refreshments from 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday - except for public holidays
• drinks and snacks are available from the vending machines in the family sitting room
• The Sick Kids Friends Foundation Shop sells a variety of snacks and drinks 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 12pm-2pm Saturday, and 1pm-3pm Sunday
• parents may use the staff dining room to buy meals, visiting children are allowed in this area at the discretion of hospital staff
• there are a number of delicatessens, restaurants and cafés in the neighbourhood
• if you are visiting an outpatient department, you may want to bring some juice or a snack with you - unless of course you have been told not to give your child anything to eat or drink
• a prepared feed for a baby can be warmed on request
• for safety reasons, hot food and drinks should not be taken outside of café/dining room areas unless in containers designed for take-away foods

Breakfast: 7:45am-8:45am
Lunch: 12:00pm
Tea: 5.30pm

There are normally no restrictions on visiting hours for parents/guardians. If you or your partner are unable to stay, you may like to arrange for a close relative or friend to spend time with your child. We do ask that other visitors, except in exceptional circumstances, leave by 8pm to allow children to settle for the night.

• some wards operate a "quiet time" in the early afternoon when patients are encouraged to sleep or rest, which aids their recovery.  This is a good time for parents to have a rest themselves and take a break from the ward. During "quiet time", we have volunteers who are able to spend time with children and give parents a break
• brothers and sisters are encouraged to visit, but must be supervised by a parent or other adult at all times
• parents who are feeling unwell should advise the nurse in charge

• parents are welcome to telephone at any time of the day or night to ask about their child
• we ask that your relatives and friends do not call the hospital unnecessarily, as only limited information can be given to them
• it is helpful if you organise a ‘contact relative' who can pass on information from yourself to other family members

Smoking is not allowed in NHS buildings or grounds, due to the national ban on smoking in public places and our own tobacco policy.