Author: JONES, RUTH (RJE) UHNM

Patient Information Leaflet

Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU)
High Dependency Unit (HDU)

Please speak to a member of staff if you need this leaflet in large print, braille, audio
or another language

Introduction
Welcome to our Children’s Critical Care High Dependency Unit (HDU) . We realise this is a difficult time for you and your family and have prepared this booklet to answer some of the questions you may have. Please feel free to ask any member of staff if you need more information.
Why is my child on HDU?
Your child is being nursed on HDU so that the nurses and doctors can closely monitor them.
They may need to stay for a few hours, or several days, depending on their illness.
Your child will then be moved to a different ward area once more stable.
What happens on HDU?
Your child will be allocated a bedside nurse to care for your child.
Doctors will treat your child and perform regular reviews of your child’s condition. They will also talk to you about your child.
Machines will be used to continuously monitor your child's heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels to give your child the best care.

Sometimes, your child may be given fluids and medication via a machine and the nurse will explain this to you.
The unit can sometimes be noisy and whilst we try to keep lighting to a minimum, this is required to provide the best care.
Visiting times
As a parent or carer you can stay with your child 24 hours a day. Only 2 people are allowed at the bedside at any time to help keep noise levels down and avoid obstruction in emergency situations.
Please discuss with the nurse before inviting visitors as there may be times when only parents are allowed. You will be informed if this arises.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes, we can offer 1 bed within HDU. Other limited accommodation may be available off the unit. Please discuss with your bedside nurse.
What if I feel I cannot leave my child?
We understand you may be worried however, it is important you take regular breaks to look after yourself so that you do not become exhausted. Please ask the nurses to relieve you for a break.

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Will I ever be asked to leave the unit?
Sometimes, you may be asked to leave the HDU bay for a brief period of time. This does not happen very often and is usually not for a long period of time. It is sometimes to allow us to treat another child or to allow for confidential conversations.
Isolation and infection prevention
Staff always wear aprons as children are vulnerable to infection when admitted. You may also be asked to wear an apron. Staff will inform you of what protective measures you need to take when visiting your child.
If your child is in a cubicle, this might because they either have an infection that other children may catch or are at greater risk of infection from others.
Alcohol gel is available for you to use after hand washing and before each contact with your child.
Please wash your hands before leaving the unit and after any nappy changing.
Check and make sure you have no signs of any infection. Please let a member of the staff know if you are unsure. This is because your child could pick up a secondary infection that can be serious and hinder recovery.

Spiritual and psychological support
A multi-faith prayer room and mosque is open 24 hours a day located on lower ground floor 2 and a quiet contemplation room is situated next to the chapel. Please ask staff for directions.
The hospital SPaRC (Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care) Team can visit you if you wish and can provide spiritual support and perform baptisms and blessings.
What will my child need?
Your child will need:
A change of clothes.
Nappies.
Personal wash items.
Their favourite toys, games, music etc.
Storage space is limited so please keep belongings tidy and limit the amount you bring into hospital.
The hospital does not take any responsibility for the loss of personal belongings.

Medication
Drugs are dispensed from the hospital pharmacy so there is no need to bring any medication with you.
Parents are not allowed to give their child medicine.
Some families whose children are on multiple drugs sometimes find it easier to bring in their medicines rather than remember all the dosages. After the medication has been noted, they need to be taken back home as soon as possible.
Alternatively you can write down the medication(s) and the dosage(s) and bring this with you.
Breastfeeding
Please tell the nurse you are breastfeeding so that you can be supported to be able to maintain this on the ward.
An electric breast pump and bottles for you to store your milk can be provided if needed.
Any excess milk will be frozen for future use.
If your child is unable to breastfeed, expressed milk will be introduced to your child as soon as they are medically fit. This can be given via a small tube which is passed through their nose into their stomach.
Breast feeding mums are entitled to free meals. Please ask for a menu early in the morning so that this can be ordered.

Parent Facilities
The following is provided for your use in the parent’s room on the main ward:
A TV.
A microwave.
Fridge and Freezer.
Tea and Coffee
Any takeaways must be eaten in the parent’s room.
Children are not allowed in the parents room but you may take a drink to your child’s bedside. Your child will be supplied with food whilst an inpatient on the ward.
After HDU
Once your child no longer needs HDU, they will be transferred to our hospital children’s ward or back to your local hospital children's ward.
We only transfer children out of HDU when we are confident that there is minimal risk of any deterioration.
We will ensure that medical and nursing information relating to your child’s care including medication or special issues is passed over to those who will continue to care for your child. They can contact us at any time.

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Confidentiality
Information outside of the medical team will not be disclosed without your consent. Staff are bound by their individual governing bodies with regards to confidentiality.
Please allocate one contact person who you regularly update to pass on the information to other family members and friends.
Cashpoints
Located in the hospital LG2 near ‘Subway’.
External to the hospital at Tesco’s on A34.
Public transport
Taxis can be ordered from the main entrance.
Railway Station and Bus Station located 1.5 miles from hospital.
Amazon and deliveries
The hospital have amazon lockers located on the lower ground (LG) floor if you need to have any deliveries made whilst you are at the hospital.
Royal Stoke Facilities in Main Atrium
Restaurant, including vending machines.
Costa Coffee.
WH Smith.
Lloyds Pharmacy.

Reapproved tbc 2026 Review March 2029

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