Your child will need to have blood tests done during cancer treatment. Blood tests are usually done very early in the morning so that the test results are ready when the doctors make the plan of care for the day.

Blood may be taken from a central line or portacath, but occasionally a venipuncture or finger prick may be necessary for some blood tests. Topical anaesthetic cream (Angel or Emla) may make the procedure easier.

Intake means how much fluid and food your child is taking in (by mouth via a feeding tube or through a vein or central line). 

Output means how much fluid your child is putting out (via urine, vomit, and stool).

Input and output may be measured when your child is receiving chemotherapy, if your child is unwell or if your child is not eating or drinking much.

If your nurse tells you that your child needs their intake and output recorded, please let the nurse know about any food or fluid your child has, keep all nappies so that they can be weighed to see how much urine is in the nappy and let the nurse know if your child vomits.

If your child uses a urinal or bedpan, please leave it to be measured. Always remember to wear gloves for 48 hours after chemotherapy has been given when you are handling urine, vomit, or stool.

Each morning, the healrhcare team meets to discuss the plan of care for your child. This meeting is called 'rounds'. 

The team looks at your child's blood tests and intake and output, and talks about how your child is responding to treatment. 

The team may come into your room and examine your child and talk to you about the care plan. They may also come back later in the day to discuss progress. 

You can write down any questions you may have to help you remember the questions you want to ask. 

Your child's blood pressure (BP); lemperature, heart rate (pulse). and breathing rafe (resps) will be checked at least once per day.

Observations may need to be taken more frequently (such as when your child has a fever, is unwell or having a transfusion). These observations help the healthcare team know how your child's body is responding to cancer or treatment.

Your child's weight will be checked at each admission and as often as necessary. Knowing if your child is losing weight is important. Weight loss may mean that your child is not eating or drinking enough.

In some cases, your child may gain weight from too much fluid. In either case, your medical needs to know when your child's weight changes during treatment. The dose of chemotherapy may also change if your child's weight goes up or down. 

The visiting hours may vary across the different wards, but it is important to respect the privacy and needs of other families in the ward.

If you have large numbers of visitors, please use the parents' room in each ward and check when visiting hours end. 

Visitors should not come into the wards if they are unwell or if they have been exposed to chickenpox or shingles. Upon arrival to the ward, visitors should wash their hands thoroughly.