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/ Back to home / Parent support / Helping your child manage their health care treatment / procedure or preparing them for hospital / Preparing for hospital (information for children)
Preparing for hospital (information for children)Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Why do I need to go to hospital? Children go to a hospital for lots of different reasons. You may go to hospital to be helped because you are hurt, sick or need an operation. It is a good idea to talk to your family about why you need to go to hospital.
You might like to bring some favourite things from home - a special toy, a game or a book, your own pyjamas, some comfortable clothes, and don't forget your toothbrush!
Many things in the hospital will be new and interesting, some may seem scary. The following information will help you learn about some of the things that might happen to you.
 Back to TopWhat if I need to stay the night in hospital?If you need to stay the night in hospital, you may have your own room or you may share a room with other children. Your mum or dad can stay with you. Your brothers, sisters and your friends are welcome to visit.
Back to TopWhat usually happens first when I go to hospital?When you come to hospital you will get a hospital bracelet with your name on it, so that everyone will know who you are.
A nurse will take your:
 A doctor will come and talk to you and your parent. The doctor might listen to your heart with a stethoscope, and write some information about you in your hospital notes. You can ask the doctor questions. Back to TopWhat if I need a blood test?You may need a blood test. By taking a small amount of your blood, doctors can find out how best to help you. Your body makes more blood, so you will always have enough.
Back to TopWhat if I need an IV?Some children need an IV or drip when they are in hospital. An IV is a little plastic tube usually placed in the back of your hand with a long line of plastic tubing connected to a bag of special water. This is one way of giving you medicine or liquid. Sometimes an IV is called a drip because the liquid drips slowly through it. The IV will be connected to a small machine which controls the amount of fluid you receive.
Back to TopWhat if I need an x-ray? You may need to have a special picture taken called an x-ray. The x-ray machine is like a big camera that takes pictures of the inside of your body. It will not touch you and it does not hurt. It is important that you do not move or wriggle your body when the pictures are taken. There are different types of x-ray machines. You may need to swallow some special liquid or you may need a small injection before the x-ray is taken. You will always be told if you are going to have one of these special x- rays. Back to TopWhat happens if I need an operation? If you need an operation you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything for up to six hours beforehand. Your tummy will need to be empty so that you will not be sick during the operation. Your nurse, and perhaps a play specialist, will help you understand what is going to happen.
Before the operation a doctor called an anaesthetist will give you some sleeping medicine (anaesthetic). This medicine is given through a small plastic tube in your hand or by gently holding a mask over your mouth and nose. The anaesthetic will keep you asleep while the doctor (surgeon) does your operation, so you will not feel anything. Doctors and nurses will be with you all the time.
When the operation is over you will wake up in the recovery room. When you are awake enough you will be taken back to your hospital room. In most hospitals, your mum or dad can be with you while you wake up or they will be waiting for you when you return to the ward. You may feel sleepy and sore afterwards. Your nurse can give you medicine to make you feel better, if you need it. There is some more information about operations if you want to have a look. This information has lots of pictures.
Back to TopWho are some of the people who will look after me? While you are in hospital you will meet many new people who will help look after you. Some of the people you might meet are:
Back to TopWill I be able to play?Many hospitals have playrooms, and hospital play specialists who can bring play activities to your room.
  Back to TopWhen can I go home?Your doctor and nurse will talk to you and your mum or dad to decide when it is the best time to go home. You may need to come back to the hospital to see the doctors and nurses at an outpatient clinic, so they can check how you are.
Back to TopAcknowledgementsStarship Play and Recreation Department. 1994. All about going to hospital: A book for children. Auckland, N.Z.: Starship Children's Health.
Fernando, Shyami ... et al. 2003. Going to hospital : A book for children. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury DHB and Rainbow Children's Trust.
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 20/10/2010
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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