Lounge and kitchen

This is a non-smoking area for parents, carers and siblings of children in PICU. If extended family members or friends are visiting PICU, we ask that they wait in the main waiting area at reception.

The lounge and kitchen area is located near reception and can be accessed through Medical & Surgical ICU 1 or 2. It has a television, a fridge, a microwave, and tea and coffee.

Please consume hot drinks and foods here, as they are not permitted at the bedside for safety reasons.

Please do not dispose food waste down any of the sinks, and use the kitchen waste bins instead.

Please help us keep this area clean and tidy for everyone. If the area requires attention, please notify one of our staff members.

Bathrooms and showers

Bathrooms for parents and carers are located near reception and at the entrance to each ICU. We ask visitors who are not parents or carers to use the bathrooms in the reception area.

Showers for patients and parents or carers staying overnight are located near the entrance of each ICU.

Winter Gardens

The Winter Gardens are outdoor areas located in the Cardiac ICU and the Medical & Surgical ICU 1.

These non-smoking outdoor spaces are designed to provide a calm environment and access to fresh air for patients as well as parents, carers and staff.

Parents and carers are welcome to use the Winter Garden located within the unit their child is in during the day. Please note that these spaces are locked overnight.

Learn about how we use Winter Gardens for patient care.

Breastfeeding, expressing and formula

Parents can express breast milk in the parent zone in the patient's room or in the expressing room near reception.

Expressed breast milk can be stored in our Formula Rooms on the corridors leading to Medical & Surgical ICU 1 and 2. Expressed breast milk must be labelled with the time, date and patient ID. Please ask the staff for labelling stickers.

You can also ask one of the nurses for help with:

• storage of fresh or frozen breast milk
• access to expressing equipment
• contacting the lactation specialist team for consultation on breastfeeding and expressing breast milk.

Read our Breast milk - expressing, handling and storage factsheet.