On the day of surgery

When you arrive at hospital, our helpful administration staff will help complete the paperwork needed for your child’s surgery.

The hospital admissions process could be different depending on your child’s surgery admission type. Learn more on our types of surgery admissions webpage.

You will meet your child’s surgical team who will perform the surgery which may include a doctor, an anaesthetist, a nurse or other health professional.

Doctors may also mark your child’s skin with an arrow or other markings to confirm which parts of the body they will be operating on.

Before your child has surgery, you will need to sign a consent form on their behalf. Without consent, doctors cannot perform surgery on your child.

A doctor will explain the surgery to you. It is important that you fully understand the surgery your child will be having and how to care for them after surgery.

If you need an interpreter or translator, please let a staff member know.

Before surgery, you will meet your child’s anaesthetist. They will explain the anaesthetic process and help answer any questions you may have.

They may ask about:

• Your child’s medical history
• If your child has had anaesthetics before
• Family history with anaesthetics
• Recent illnesses (e.g. coughs, colds)
• Known allergies
• Regular medications
• Any loose teeth

Your child will be taken to the hospitals operating theatres to get ready for surgery.

In the theatres waiting area, your child’s surgery paperwork will be rechecked. You can expect a short wait as staff prepare for your child’s surgery.

The anaesthetist will tell you if you can accompany your child into the theatre or if you will say goodbye in the waiting area.

Before surgery, usually in a separate room, your child will be put to sleep as part of the anaesthesia process.

In most cases, parents or carers are allowed to comfort their child for this, however, in emergency or special case surgery this may not be the case.

Learn more on our about anaesthesia webpage.

While your child is in the operating theatre:

• Get something to eat and drink
• Walk around the hospital campus
• Wait in the assigned waiting area

Please keep your mobile phone switched on while your child is away from you. This ensures that the medical team can contact you.

Do not be concerned if the operation is taking longer than expected, sometimes the surgery team just need more time.