Castle Mey Ward

Castle Mey is a very busy ward, with children being admitted 24-hours a day and often from the Emergency Department. Everyone on the ward will do their best to help patients sleep or get some rest at night, although some children might need medication or observation during the night as well as during the day.

Meals are provided to children during their time on the ward, including:

Snacks and drinks are available for children outside these times – please just ask.

Breastfeeding your baby

The RHCYP support you to provide breast milk for your baby, as far as possible, either directly or by pumping.  Pumps, storage bottles and a dedicated fridge and freezer are available for expressed breast milk.  Our hospital is excited to be working towards UNICEF baby friendly accreditation.

If you are breastfeeding and finding it difficult to provide food and water for yourself, please ask the staff for support.

It might be necessary to have some tests, scans or x-rays during your time on Castle Mey to find out more about what is making you unwell. This might include a blood test, different types of scan or an x-ray, which is like a photo of your bones and the inside of your body. Some children might be given medicine or fluids through a tiny needle in their hand. There are play specialists based in the ward during normal working hours who can help children prepare for a procedure and help distract them with play activities. While the ward is a busy place and things can change quite quickly at times, we will always be happy to explain what is happening and answer any questions that you might have. Find out more about tests, scans & x-rays.

If a child needs to stay for longer or needs an operation, it is likely that they might be moved to a different ward within the hospital. Everyone on Castle Mey will be working hard to find a space on the most appropriate ward and will do their best to keep families informed. Sometimes a child might need to move at short notice and in other cases there might be some time to wait before moving. We understand that this can feel frustrating and will always aim for the best care for each child.

If a child moves to a different ward, the Castle Mey team will remain in charge of their care until they are formally handed over to a new team. Any change to the lead professional in charge of a child’s care will be communicated to families as soon as possible.

We aim to give the best possible care to all of our patients, at all stages of their illness or treatment, giving them the most appropriate levels of nursing or medical care. Sometimes, the best care for a child or young person might be in another part of a ward, a different ward, or a different hospital. For example, it might be necessary to move a patient to a different part of the RHCYP, to or from the children’s ward at St. John’s Hospital, or to a local hospital closer to home if you do not live in the Lothian region.

When a patient needs to be moved, the decision will be taken by the consultant responsible for their care. Wherever possible, parents or carers will be spoken to or contacted to let them know that a move is planned or needed.

We understand that being in hospital can be a stressful time for patients and their families and we will only move a child when it is absolutely necessary. Examples of why the decision to move your child might be made include:

• Your child is on a short-stay ward and it becomes apparent that they need to stay for longer than 48 hours. We may have to move your child onto a longer-stay ward.
• At certain times of the year we have high numbers of children with specific illnesses being admitted. Children who are stable may need to be moved to another ward, or to (or from) St. John’s Hospital. This allows emergency admissions or patients needing closer observation to be cared for in the best place for them.

Cubicles and individual rooms

Cubicles and individual rooms are given to patients that need them the most. There are two priorities for cubicles or rooms:

1. A child with a condition that makes them vulnerable to infection.
2. A child who has – or may have – an infection that could pose a risk to other patients.

If your child has been allocated a cubicle or room for another reason, they might be moved into an open ward area if they are well enough. This means that we can care for other children who need to be in isolation. If your child has been treated for their infection, or their infection has been identified and they no longer need to stay in isolation, they might be moved into an open ward area. This allows us to care for new admissions that need isolation.

Infection control precautions mean that visiting is restricted to two visitors by a child’s bedside at any one time. Children under 5 are not allowed to visit the ward areas. Sometimes visiting guidelines need to change at short notice – please speak to the Charge Nurse, or nurse in charge of your child’s care if you have any questions. Thank you.

We understand that having a child admitted to Castle Mey can be a worrying and stressful time, particularly if your child has become unwell and the cause is not yet known. Each child’s bed has a single bed with mattress next to it, to allow you to get some rest and stay with your child. The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People has a café, shop and restaurant as well as vending machines available 24-hours a day for drinks and snacks. There is more information on the RHCYP facilities page.

Wifi

Wifi is available for families to connect their mobile phones or tablets from home. Wifi codes are available from the nurse in charge on the ward, or from one of the play specialists.

Family Support

Some families can find themselves admitted to Castle Mey after an emergency or at very short notice. If you need a supply of toiletries or any personal items, please speak to your child’s nurse as emergency care packs for families are available. Family support services include help with the unexpected costs of having a child in hospital, advice, support and someone to listen. The Family Support corridor is open for families to drop-in during the week (Monday-Friday, 9am – 4pm). Your child’s nurse can also help find the type of family support you need. There is more information on the Family Support page.

Castle Mey has two play specialists, available to help children understand and prepare for procedures, distract them with activities and have fun with a range of toys, games and crafts. If you’d like help from one of the play specialists during your child’s time in Castle Mey, please ask the nursing team.
If they are feeling well enough, children can visit the playroom where they will find toys, games, crafts and a range of activities for all ages. Castle Mey also has direct access to the beautiful Jess Mackie Memorial Garden which has space to get some fresh air and explore, a big basket swing, benches and large outdoor musical instruments to play with.

Many children and young people are well enough to go home after a short stay on Castle Mey. Families might be given a supply of medicine to take home with them or a prescription to take to their local pharmacy. Sometimes a follow-up appointment might be arranged for a check-up or review with the doctor. A letter will be sent to your family doctor to let them know about your child’s admission to hospital and the reason for their stay. If you need a copy of the discharge letter (for example for a parent’s work or for insurance reasons) please ask the team on the ward before you leave.