Children's Hospital visiting

Our Burns Centre opened in 2007 and was designed with the help of patients and their parents.

The ward is open and airy with colourful decorations and pictures on the walls and a window that overlooks the road outside.

If you come to the Burns Centre ward, you are likely to have a bed in a large bay with three other children. Some older children or those with serious burns may be given an individual cubicle.

The ward has a playroom with toys, colouring equipment, books, TV and games.

Older children can chill out in the adolescent room, which has a TV with games consoles and board game.

Contact: 0121 333 8966

PICU is our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and is for children who need specialist round-the-clock care.

Children on PICU need a higher level of supervision and nurses will monitor their progress throughout their stay.

Visiting for parents is not restricted, however we will encourage you to get rest at night. Parents may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability).

PICU also has a parents' room with a kitchen where you can make yourself something to eat and drink or rest in the sitting area. There is also a shower and toilet facilities.

Contact: 0121 333 9656

Medical Day Care is a nurse-led ward, caring for 24 children and young people each day. Some will be here for just an hour or two while others will be here all day depending on their treatment.

You will be cared for in either a day case bed or a reclining chair, we also have two side rooms.

We are a friendly small team that can ensure you have a positive experience whilst with us. We have play equipment for all ages and always do everything possible to accommodate the individual needs of our children, young people and families.

We look after those with a wide variety of long-term conditions such as respiratory, gastroenterology, rheumatology and metabolic disorders. Children may be seen by us weekly, monthly or just once.

We administer infusions for a variety of conditions, and also care for those undergoing investigations such as endoscopy, allergy testing, MRI and CT scans.

What you can do before you arrive;

• Follow the starving times in your letter
• Arrive on time for your appointment
• Let us know if you are unable to attend your appointment
• Bring any medications you are currently taking

Contact: 0121 333 9245

Our Medical High Dependency Unit (MHDU) opened in 2006. The unit has a team of highly skilled nurses who provide a higher level of patient care for patients who require closer observations/ interventions.

MHDU has six beds, two of which are cubicles to allow for isolation requirements. The team accept admissions from across the hospital (mainly Intensive Care and the Emergency Department).

The unit work closely with the Emergency Department and Paediatric Assessment Unit and cater for children up to 18 years old with a range of acute, chronic and complex conditions of varying specialities including, general medical, respiratory, endocrinology, metabolic, gastroenterology and neurology.

The High Dependency Unit has a fast turnover of patients and once patients are well enough, they are transferred back to the ward to prepare for discharge planning.

Contact: 0121 333 9047

The Neonatal Surgery Unit is for new babies, including those born prematurely or who need an operation.

Your baby will either be in a cubicle, which has one other baby in it, or a room called a bay, which has three other babies in it. There are also single rooms for infants who need to be on their own so they don't catch or pass on an infection.

You can stay with your baby at night. You can sit in a chair next to the cot and sleep next to your baby on a fold-up bed. Please note: only two visitors per patient are allowed at one time.

There is a parents' room on the ward where you can go to have a rest or make yourself something to eat and drink. There are also toilet facilities and a shower so you can wash and change.

There is an expressing quiet room, too, so if you're feeding your baby, you can go and sit quietly with them here.

The ward has a high dependency unit (HDU) for babies who need extra special care. There is at least one nurse in the HDU at all times.

The doctors and nurses try to make life here as calm and comfortable as possible. There is a 'quiet time' between 2.00pm and 3.00pm each day when the curtains are closed and no treatment is given unless necessary. During this time we ask that parents and staff whisper to minimise disruption for the babies.

Contact: 0121 333 9022

For more information about surgery, please see visit our Paediatric Surgery and Urology section.

The Paediatric Admissions Unit (PAU) provides short stay inpatient care to children and young people aged up to 16 years old. The unit has 19 beds, made up of 16 cubicles and three bay beds. The team look after children and young people with a wide range of medical conditions such as asthma, bronchiolitis, eczema and other general medical conditions, and also children with neurology, gastroenterology, oncology/haematology, endocrinology, surgical and metabolic related conditions. Staff work closely with the Emergency Department, Medical High Dependency Unit (MHDU) and our Hospital @ Home team.

At the end of your stay on PAU you will either go onto another ward or you will be discharged to home or Hospital @ Home.

Contact: 0121 333 9012

Hospital at Home - H@H

The Hospital at Home service is located in the Paediatric Admissions Unit and provides care for children and young people in their own home. Being accepted onto the H@H service means you can be discharged early from hospital while remaining under the care of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. One of our consultants will still be responsible for your care and a team of experienced nurses will continue looking after you while at home.

Please follow the signs on site directing you to Surgical Day Care (SDC). Please enter via the doors near our Emergency Department/Fracture Clinic. From there, stickers on the floor will guide you to the lifts/stairs to the 2nd floor and our SDC. 

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Surgical Day Care (SDC) is a ward for children and young people who need an operation but do not need to stay in hospital for more than one day.

Children come to the ward for a day for a variety of procedures including:

• Orthopaedics
• General surgery
• Urology
• Dental
• Plastic Surgery
• Laser surgery (where a laser is used to operate on the skin, e.g. to remove birthmarks)

We also care for children requiring investigations in a day.

What to bring with you:

On the day of your admission please bring with you where applicable:

• Your appointment letter
• Your completed patient questionnaire
• Any medicines that you are currently taking
• Your MRI safety questionnaire if you are having a scan
• Your red health record book
• If you are having an MRI scan, please don't wear any clothes that have metal on them, for example, jeans with metal buttons or baby grows with poppers on.

You must make sure that you arrive at the time requested and that you have not had any food and drink as directed, otherwise there is a risk that your procedure may have to be cancelled.

Contact: 0121 333 9162

For more information about surgery and urology, please see visit our Paediatric Surgery and Urology section.

Ward 1 is our renal, or kidney, ward.

The ward has an outpatient area with a floor which is designed to look like grass and pebbles because our children and young people tell us they want to feel like they are outside. There is also a "light wall", which looks fantastic and is great fun for children of all ages to play on. The wall is divided into squares and when you press them different-coloured lights come on, allowing you to create colourful patterns.

If you're having a transplant, you'll visit the outpatient area quite a few times to get you ready for the operation.

The outpatient area leads to the ward where you will stay when you come for an operation or to have dialysis (being connected to a machine that helps your kidneys to work better).

The nurses try to put boys with boys and girls with other girls but regardless, you will probably share a bay with four other children. If you feel you want your own space, you can draw the curtains round your bed so no one can see you.

All the bed units have foldaway beds stored in cupboards so parents and carers can sleep next to you at night. They can also stay with you throughout the day.

Ward 1 has a fun play area in the middle of the ward. A light projector hidden in a hole in the ceiling beams down games that you can play on the floor space. Even if you're in a wheelchair you can join in.

If you need dialysis you will come in to our dedicated dialysis area three or four times a week for about three hours at a time to have your treatment.

Contact: 0121 333 9208

For more information about surgery and urology, please see visit our Paediatric Surgery and Urology section.

Ward 2 looks after children with a variety of problems including respiratory conditions, stomach problems and other illnesses such as chest infections.

There is also a playroom at the end of the ward with books and toys. You can play in this room or you can take the toys to your room to play with and take them back when you have finished.

Our nurses and doctors will all work very hard to make sure that we can get you well again so that you can go home as quickly as possible.

Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night and may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability).

Contact: 0121 333 9048

Ward 5 is where you come to have a planned operation or if you have had an accident and require an operation quickly.

Ward 5 is the orthopaedic and trauma ward also caters for children and Young people who require specialist skills from a multitude of teams including orthopaedic, spinal surgery, ear, nose and throat (ENT), plastic and eye surgery. Ward 5 is open and airy with colourful decorations and pictures on the walls. If you feel nervous about having your operation that's perfectly normal but don't worry - our nurses and play specialists will help you understand what is happening and feel much better. Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night. 

The ward has a play store full of toys and games. You can choose toys to bring back to your bed or a nurse will bring some to you. You'll also have a television over your bed so you can watch whatever programmes you like. You can also bring in some of your things from home to keep you entertained.

If you want to bring snacks you'll need to ask a nurse to check you can eat them, as sometimes you may not be able to eat or drink because of your operation

We care for children of all ages on this ward so you might be sharing with babies, toddlers or young people up to the age of 16. You will have your own room or share a bay with other children.

Contact: 0121 333 9032

This is a general ward you could come to if you have respiratory (breathing), neurological (brain) or gastroenterology (stomach) problems as well as a variety of other issues. It's a ward for older children, aged seven to 16, some of whom can stay for quite a long time.

Because of this, the ward has a special young persons' room that includes many things that young people said they would like to have in it, such as comfy sofas and computers. There is Wi-Fi access, a TV and games consoles and it's a great place to hang out and make friends. There is also a wide range of games and toys to make sure you don't get bored.

The James Brindley School send teachers to the ward to provide and help you with school work if you are well enough.

When you come to Ward 7, you will either be given your own room or you will share a bay with other children.

Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night and may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability). Contact: 0121 333 9056

Ward 8 is our liver and small bowel ward at our Children's Hospital. We are internationally renowned for liver and small bowel transplants. In fact, only two other hospitals in this country carry out liver transplants on children and young people and only one other does small bowel transplants.

When you come to Ward 8, you will either be given your own bedroom or you will share a bay with other children.

Because we care for babies, children and teenagers from all over the UK, as well as from across Europe, you have a great opportunity to make new friends. We have several facilities on the ward including: 

• A playroom – where children on the ward can play together or on their own
• An adolescent room – where teenagers are welcome to relax and enjoy some time out
• A parent’s room - where parents and family members can make themselves a drink and something to eat, we also offer the use of our washing machine and tumble dryer

Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night and may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability). If doctors want to talk to parents about your treatment, there are two counselling rooms where they can speak privately.

Contact: 0121 333 9066

Ward 9 is a surgery ward for children of all ages who could be with us for both short and longer term stays. If you stay on the ward, you are likely to have a bed in a large bay with other children but you may need to be in a cubicle on your own depending on the care you require.

If you feel nervous about having your operation that's perfectly normal but don't worry - our nurses and play specialists will help you to understand what is happening and feel much better. Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night.

The ward has a play store full of toys and games. You can choose toys to bring back to your bed or a nurse will bring some to you. You'll also have a television over your bed so you can watch whatever programmes you like. You can also bring in some of your own things from home to keep you entertained.

If you want to bring snacks you'll need to ask a nurse to check you can eat them, as sometimes you may not be able to eat or drink because of your operation.

Contact: 0121 333 9082

For more information about surgery, please see visit our Paediatric Surgery and Urology section.

Ward 10 is the neurosurgery ward for children who have a problem with their brain or spine.

The ward looks after children of all ages for both short and longer term stays. Others live mostly at home but come to the ward for a check-up or treatment. If you stay on the ward, you are likely to have a bed in a large bay with other children.

The ward has a strong focus on rehabilitation, helping children who have had an illness or injury to do things like walk or talk again. Our therapy services team works regularly with many children on the ward, giving them exercises to help them get better.

There is a playroom here to help keep you entertained. It has a soft play area with plenty of toys and games as well as a TV.

Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night and may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability).

Contact: 0121 333 9092

The Cardiac Unit is one of the largest in the UK. On Ward 11 we care for neonates and infants with a range of congenital heart defects and cardiac conditions.

Our aim is to provide high-quality care and to go above and beyond the standards set out by the Department of Health.

All babies on this ward are less than one-year-old. Some stay for just a short time but others may need to be here longer.

The babies sleep in a cot with a mobile and you are also welcome to bring their toys or teddies from home. You will usually share a bay with one other family.

Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night and may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability).

There is also a breastfeeding room on the ward and a parents' room where families can rest and make themselves something to eat and drink.

Contact: 0121 333 9112

Ward 12 is our cardiac ward for children having problems with their heart.

If you come to the ward, you are likely to have a bed in a large bay with other children.

Parents can stay at the bedside all day and night, if they wish to and may be able to stay in our Parent Accommodation area or Ronald McDonald House (subject to availability).

Our Ward 12 play room is called 'The Den' and has lots of toys as well as a TV and games consoles.

If parents want to have a cup of tea or coffee or get something to eat, there is a kitchen with a fridge and a microwave for them to use and they can eat or drink sitting next to your bed.

Contact: 0121 333 9122

This ward is for children with all kinds of cancer conditions. It is split into three areas: high dependency unit (HDU)/stem cell transplant unit, main ward, and Teenage Cancer Trust Unit for teenagers. The main ward has children of all ages and the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit is for teenagers.

When you come to Ward 15, you will share a room called a bay with other children, or you will be put into a side room if required.

Parents and carers can stay with you all day and there is room for one of them to stay next to you at night, sleeping in a fold-up bed next to yours. There is also parent accommodation in the hospital and at Ronald McDonald House, which is very close by, where parents may be able to stay (subject to availability).

Sometimes being in hospital can be a bit boring so there is a big play and activity room that you can enjoy whenever you want. You may also want to bring some of your favourite things from home to keep you entertained.

The HDU is for patients who need close observation and also for those who require stem cell transplants.

In the HDU, children share a unit with five other people. Each unit has its own self-contained bathroom and you will also have your own TV above your bed. There is also a small area for parents with kitchen facilities.

When you come to visit, you must report to reception. Visiting on HDU is restricted to a parent and/or carer plus two others (so three people, maximum).

Contact: 0121 333 9132

Located in Waterfall House on the third floor, Ward 17 is a ward for children and young people who need an operation but do not need to stay in hospital for more than one day or night.

Children come to the ward for a day for a variety of procedures including:

• Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
• Ophthalmology
• General Surgery and Urology
• Plastic Surgery

On the day of your admission please bring with you where applicable:

• Your appointment letter
• Your completed patient questionnaire
• Any medicines that you are currently taking
• Your red health record book

You must make sure that you arrive at the time requested and that you have not had any food and drink as directed, otherwise there is a risk that your procedure may have to be cancelled.

Contact: 0121 333 6728

Based in Waterfall House on the second floor, this ward is for children and teenagers of all ages with all kinds of cancer conditions.

The 24 bedded ward is made up of two four-bedded bays with the rest of the beds being en-suite cubicles.

Parents and carers can stay with you all day and there is room for one of them to stay next to you at night, sleeping in a special chair. There is also parent accommodation in the hospital and at Ronald McDonald House, which is very close by, where parents may be able to stay (subject to availability).

Sometimes being in hospital can be a bit boring so there is a big play and activity room that you can enjoy whenever you want. You may also want to bring some of your favourite things from home to keep you entertained. We do suggest though, that you only bring the things you really need as each item will need to be checked by our infection control team and keeping what you bring to a minimum will help prevent the ward from getting cluttered.

There is also a small area for parents with kitchen facilities.

When you come to visit, you must report to reception. Visiting on HDU is restricted to a parent and/or carer plus two others (so three people, maximum).

Contact: 0121 333 9128

This ward is for children who need close observation and require stem cell transplants.

The ward is based on the second floor of Waterfall House and is made up of eight beds, all of which are en-suite cubicles.

Parents and carers can stay with you all day and there is room for one of them to stay next to you at night, sleeping in a special chair. There is also parent accommodation in the hospital and at Ronald McDonald House, which is very close by, where parents may be able to stay (subject to availability).

You may also want to bring some of your special things from home to comfort you while you are here.

There is also a small area for parents with kitchen facilities shared between Wards 18 and 19.

When you come to visit, you must report to reception. Visiting on Ward 19 is restricted to a parent and/or carer plus two others (so three people, maximum).

Contact: 0121 333 9136

There are three inpatient wards at Parkview Clinic with 34 inpatient beds:

Ashfield

This is an eight-bedded unit for 11-18 year olds who, due to the extent of their mental health difficulties, present with a higher level of risk to themselves or others. Assessment and treatment is provided.

Heathlands

This is a 14-bedded general adolescent unit for 11-18 year olds who need assessment and treatment for a range of mental health difficulties.

Irwin

This is a 12-bedded unit for 11-18 year olds with eating disorders. Assessment and treatment is provided for the physical and psychological difficulties associated with having an eating disorder.

For more information about our wards please see our booklet:

Welcome to inpatient CAMHS booklet [pdf] 294KB