All of our specially trained staff wear a hospital identification badge and a lot of staff wear a uniform. They are all here to help you get better and to answer any questions you may have about your care. During your hospital visit you may meet the following staff.
Administration Staff
We have a large number of administration staff working in the hospital and they help to make the hospital run smoothly. It is a member of the Administration Staff you will meet when you are checking in to the hospital as an inpatient or outpatient. They will make sure your details are up to date on our computer system.
Anaesthetists
An Anaesthetist is a special doctor who gives anaesthetic medication to adults or children. This medication is used to give you a very deep sleep (unconscious) and that you stay asleep (remain unconscious) during your operation or procedure. They make sure that you don’t feel, see, or hear anything while you are having your operation and they wake you up when it is finished.
Audiologists
Audiologists know a lot about ears and hearing. They do special hearing tests using different equipment to see how well your hearing is working. Then they can help you if they find out that your hearing is not as good as it should be.
Clinical Nurse Manager 1 & 2 (CNM)
CNM2 and CNM1’s wear a light blue striped uniform top and navy trousers. A Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) is the manager of a ward and nursing team with responsibility for looking after you while you are a patient in the ward.
Clinical Nurse Manager 3 (CNM)
CNM3 wears a dark blue uniform top and trousers. She is responsible for all of the patients and staff in the children’s wards in the hospital.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical Nurse Specialists wear light purple uniform tops and navy trousers. They are expert nurses in areas such as asthma or diabetes and they help book tests, appointments and help with your treatment plans.
Clinical Outreach Nurse
The Children’s Outreach Nurse provides a link between hospital and the community teams for some children with certain needs. He travels to family homes to support them and their family.
Dietitian
You will meet a Children’s Dietitian if you have a condition where food and special diets can help you feel better. She may not wear a uniform but will tell you her name and why she has come to see you. For some children, changing what they eat is the only thing they have to do to get better. The Dietitian might ask a lot of questions about how you eat so she can make the best plan with you.
Doctor
In our hospital doctors do not wear a white coat but they usually have their stethoscopes with them. Doctors know a lot about how our bodies work and what to do if you are not feeling well. They can do tests to find out what the problem is and then can do procedures, operations or order special medicines to make you feel better.
Emergency Department Nurse
The Emergency Department nurses wear a blue scrub top and blue trousers. You might meet them if you have to go to hospital in an emergency when you have had an accident or if you are sick.
Health Care Assistant (HCA)
Health Care Assistants in the children’s wards wear a bright top with designs and navy trousers. They help the nurses to look after you under the supervision of Clinical Nurse Managers.
Household Assistants
Household staff wear a light blue top with Household staff written on it and navy trousers. The Household Assistants help to keep the hospital clean and germ free. You may see them coming in to your room to clean it. They also provide your meals and drinks during your stay on the ward.
Medical Social Worker (MSW)
The Medical Social Work Department offers a number of services to children and their families, both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. A child’s illness and subsequent hospital visits can be stressful and difficult. We are experienced in helping children, young people and parents deal with many types of issues that can arise. We offer emotional support through one to one work where there is a new diagnosis of illness or long-term condition. We work as part of the busy multi- disciplinary team and are committed to providing a quality service that supports, empowers and safeguards you and your family. If you need help or support, or have any worries, the Social Work team is here to help.
Nurse
Nurses in the children’s wards wear bright patterned tops with different designs and navy trousers. A nurse helps to care for children in lots of ways when they are sick. They might do your “obs” – that means to check your heart, pulse, temperature and your lungs. Nurses also help to teach you and your families about healthy living and how to manage your illness.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Paediatric Occupational Therapists work with your child and your family to assess and help them to develop skills in the areas of self-care, school and play. These are seen as your child's main areas of occupation. By supporting children and enabling them to achieve their maximum potential, Paediatric Occupational Therapists indirectly work on developing confidence, self esteem, social skills and general well being.
Operating Theatre Nurse
The operating theatre nurses wear a blue scrub top, blue trousers and a blue hat. You might meet them if you have to go to the operating theatre for an operation.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists wear a white polo shirt with a blue collar and navy trousers. Physiotherapists know about the muscles in our bodies and how they work. They help you to keep active and if you are having difficulty moving your muscles properly.
Play Specialist
Our Play Specialist wears a bright top with designs and navy trouser. The Play Specialist can help to keep you busy with games, Nintendo DS’, toys and arts and crafts activities while you have to stay in hospital. She can also help to prepare you for a test or operation using dolls, teddy bears or medical equipment, distracts you when the procedure is happening.
Porter
Porters bring you from place to place if you need help in going to another area of the hospital for tests or scans.
Speech and Language Therapist (SLT)
Speech and Language Therapists wear a tunic and navy trousers. They work with children/young people who find it hard to speak, read and understand others. They also help babies, children and young people if they have problems eating, drinking or swallowing.
School Teachers
When you are in hospital for more than a few days you might need to go to the school hospital to keep up with your school work and you will meet the school teachers!
X-Ray Department
Whether you have to stay in hospital or you are an outpatient, you might have to go to the X-Ray department to have an x-ray or a scan. Pictures of the inside of your body to try and diagnose your problem( work out what’s going on). You will meet the Radiographer who takes the pictures and one of the X-Ray nurses may also be there.
Remember, we are all here to care for you!