ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL

 
Children

A hospital stay for any child can be an anxious time, but there are a few things that can be done to minimise the upset.  Parents are encouraged to stay and to become involved with the nursing staff involved in their child’s care.  This can be especially important for a child with learning disabilities or other special needs. If your child has communication difficulties it would be helpful to the staff for you to provide a list of symbols, signs etc. that your child uses so that communication can take place.   You should take particular care to explain to the nursing staff about your child’s behaviour and other characteristics, such as likes and dislikes. Many of the staff in the hospital will not have the experience and knowledge that you have of your child’s condition and will welcome your input and support. 

To give yourself a break or if it is not possible to stay with your child because of work or family commitments, try to organise other people who can spend some time with your child in hospital e.g. other family members, friends and neighbours or a babysitter. Each child will receive the medical attention that their condition warrants but there is not always sufficient staffing to give your child the amount of supervision and stimulation that he or she receives at home or at school so the additional input will be very valuable. Your child may be reassured by the presence of other family members or friends and by having his or her own toys, books or other belongings in hospital.  Make sure all possessions are named as things easily go astray on busy wards.

It is a good idea to have written notes on your child’s medical condition and history, details of medication, a list of any allergies, likes, dislikes, etc.  You will be asked for this information on the admission form you help to complete and if you have a note of them it can make the process easier.

If your child’s admission is to be a planned stay, staff members are usually happy to arrange for you and your child to visit the ward beforehand.  This may be helpful for your child and you will get the opportunity to ask questions of the nursing staff.  Ring the ward sister to arrange a time convenient to you and the ward.
 

Adults

If an adult dependant with learning disabilities has to go into hospital for treatment, it is helpful for you and the nursing staff if you contact the ward beforehand.  It is best not to assume that they will know that the person you are supporting has a learning disability. By visiting beforehand you will be able to make the hospital staff aware of any difficulties that exist in addition to providing any medical information that they need.  Nursing staff will be happy for preliminary pre-admission visits to take place to the ward at a mutually convenient time, if this would be of help.  Staff will also appreciate the opportunity to share information. There are usually facilities available if parents or other carers need to stay at a hospital.  There is a ‘Hospital Passport’, available from the Community Learning Disability Team, on which information relating to the person with learning disabilities due to spend time in hospital for treatment can be recorded and which will be helpful to ward staff. It is useful to jot down beforehand any special information you would like included on the admission form.
 

Outpatients

Outpatient clinics can be busy, stressful places.  It will help if someone who they know well accompanies the patient with a learning disability.  When making follow up appointments, try to insist on an early appointment.  This is not always possible but it is worth doing your best to get one as it may cut down the waiting time considerably.  Explain the difficulties to the receptionist or ask your doctor to recommend an early appointment.

The NHS Executive document called ‘Signposts for Success’ explains how all health providers should be helping people with a learning disability to use the service.

Available free from:

The Community Resource Team may be able to help you with any problems around appointments or admissions.
 

New ways of making appointments

North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust have produced a leaflet called ‘Choose and Book’ which is available from their office at The Hamlet, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, HG2 8RE. The leaflet explains that if your GP decides you need to be referred to the hospital you will have a choice of 4 or 5 hospitals for your first Outpatient Appointment.  Your GP will help you to choose and make a booking.  If you want more information please contact:

If you have a concern about any aspect of your personal care, please feel free to talk to the professional delivering your care who will try to sort it out.  Alternatively you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) through the freephone number 0800 028 2462.

If you wish to make a formal complaint about the service, contact Gill Fox, Complaints Manager, on 01845 573830.
 

A person with a learning disability can get help with travel costs if they are on Income Support, Working Family Tax Credit or Disability Living Allowance or are the dependant of someone who receives one of these benefits or if they are on a low income.

If the hospital agrees that you need someone to travel with you, you could also receive help with you own travel costs.  Payment is made at the general office in the hospital each time you visit and the hospital can be asked to send payment in advance.

All this information is explained in leaflet HC11QG available from your local Post Office or surgery.

If you are visiting someone in hospital and cannot afford the fares, ask your Benefits Agency Office or Jobcentre Plus for help and advice.

If you are referred to another hospital, it is the hospital that is visited that should make the reimbursement of travel costs, not the referring hospital.

Ambulances or the Ambulance Voluntary Care Service may be available for a local visit if the person who you are accompanying finds it difficult to use public transport for any reason or lives in an area where public transport is irregular.  Ask your GP or the hospital, for details.

The British Red Cross and other voluntary agencies may also provide transport.  A charge is made which you may be able to claim back from the hospital.

See contacts in section “Escorted Travel” in the chapter on
“Out and About".
 

WHO’S WHO IN HOSPITAL