Starlight (Ward F8)

Our Starlight Children’s Unit has an inpatient ward that cares for both medical and surgical patients. We provide a high dependency facility for very poorly children. It is fully equipped to look after children that require a high level of medical and nursing input for short periods of time and to stabilise a patient prior to being transferred to a paediatric intensive care unit.

Our paediatric doctors and nurses also provide a specialist service for children requiring surgery. We have specialist Consultants who provide general surgery, plastic surgery, maxillo-facial, Ear Nose & Throat (ENT), orthopaedic and urology surgery, as well as visiting consultants providing additional
specialties.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child, and we provide parent facilities such as a parent’s room. Parent Support Workers are on duty to provide support to parents whilst their child is in hospital, as this can be a very stressful time. We have trained Play Specialists to help your child cope with the experience of being in hospital and an outdoor play area for children.

A ward housekeeper helps make sure the ward environment stays clean and tidy. We have recently opened a number of dedicated adolescent rooms with en-suite facilities and flat-screen TVs, and also upgraded the ward entrance area. The feedback from our older children is extremely positive and these rooms are very popular.

Day Unit

The Day Unit is staffed by highly skilled experienced nurses and is open from Monday to Friday. Referrals are made for various medical procedures, including venepuncture, immunisations, food challenges, ph studies, MRI and CT scans under sedation. We work closely with our play specialists to create a relaxing and stress-free environment, so children and their families feel at ease during these investigations.

We provide a service for day case surgery for all specialities, including ENT, plastic surgery, maxillofacial, orthopaedics and urology. Parents or carers are welcome to stay with their child during their surgery or investigations. We also liaise with appropriate consultants to provide a service for children and young adults who would otherwise have to travel to other hospitals for their treatment.

Pre-operative Assessment

Our paediatric pre-operative assessment service is offered to all children requiring elective surgery. Children and young people are invited to visit the ward with their family prior to admission. Staff work with the children and their parents to familiarise them with information relating to their operation, their admission and return home. All children and families meet one of our Play Specialists who help familiarise children with the processes and equipment that will be used upon their admission.

We encourage patients and families to share their worries and anxieties so that a plan can be made to resolve any issues. All pre-op tests and investigations are completed prior to surgery to ensure that the surgery can be completed smoothly on admission.

Contact

0161 291 2248

Location

First floor Green zone – follow the directions for the Starlight Children’s Unit.