Paediatric Pre-assessment clinic

Children at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn are admitted for operations or procedures under general anaesthetic to either Rudham Children’s Ward or the Arthur Levin Day Surgery Centre.

The paediatric pre-assessment service aims to meet the medical, physical, emotional needs of every child or young person below the age of 16 years, undergoing an operation or procedure at our hospital.

Pre-assessment appointments are usually over the telephone with the child/young person’s parent or carer, but can be arranged in the clinic setting in the Roxburgh Children’s Outpatient centre.

Pre-assessment is designed to help prepare children and young people and their parents/carers for having a general anaesthetic, by the sharing and discussing of information and resources.

It may be necessary for your child to have a programme of support with a health play specialist; this will be identified at pre-assessment and offered as required.

Children of all ages are encouraged to feel like active participants in their care planning and discuss their views and wishes around their hospital admission, so that every hospital experience is a positive hospital experience.

We are using the Little Journey app to help support you and your family before you attend the hospital.

Patient information leaflets

• Adeno-tonsillectomy
• Before your operation
• Circumcision
• Community dental
• Myringotomy and Grommets
• Orchidopexy
• Pain Relief at home
• Routine Pre-op pregnancy testing leaflet (patients 12 years and older)
• Squint surgery

Useful websites

• Information about general anaesthesia for children, young people and parents/carers.
• Royal College of Anaesthetists - information for children, parents and carers
• Preparing children for an anaesthetic - video
• A family guide to anaesthetics - video. This video takes the viewer on an authentic journey from entering the hospital to going home.
• Widgit resources
• Widgit - my daycase operation
• Widgit - Post-operative communication symbols for non-verbal children after having had a day case operation