On the day of your child's operation

Hello there. My name is Angelos and I'm having surgery here at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

If you're watching this, you might be having an operation here soon too.

The doctors do operations at the children's day surgery unit, which is this building with lots of brown slats on the front of it, and in the Evelina London Hospital main building, which is this light coloured building here, with the big glass atrium on top.

Follow me, I'll show you around and tell you what happens on the day of your operation.

Can I tell you a secret? I was a bit nervous when I first came in here. I mean, like you. But I'm super brave, so I was totally fine.

But it's okay to be nervous. That's what the nurses told me.

To be totally honest, I went through a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions. Up, down, round and round.

But because everyone is so lovely, you'll be made to feel very welcome and safe here.

There were even some pretty cool bits. Let me show you.

Good morning. Parents and carers get lots of useful information about your procedure in your admission letter.

This will tell them important things like where to take you, what time to arrive, what to bring, oh yes, like comfortable clothes, pyjamas, a favorite toy, definitely a teddy for me.

Oh yes, my top tip: bring a book or electronic device to pass the time.

Oh, yum! Ah, okay, yes. And my even bigger top tip: find out what time you need to stop eating and drinking before surgery.

I was pretty hungry before my operation, but afterwards, when you're feeling ready, you can have something tasty, just ask for something like a snack box.

[Nurse] Hello, Angelos. My name is Audrey, and I am one of the nurses working here.

[Angelos] Hello, Audrey. Once you're booked in, a friendly nurse will take you to the assessment room.

[Audrey] Angelos, please follow me and I will show you what happens next.

[Angelos] Before surgery, a nurse will have to take different measurements such as how tall you are and how much you weigh.

You will also get a special wristband and some magic cream. Here we go!

[Audrey] So Angelos, this magic cream will help your hand feel numb. So if we need to put a tube in your hand or in your arm for surgery, it won't hurt that much. Are you ready, Angelos?

So, we'll also have to take different measurements such as your blood pressure.

There will be a few doctors asking you some questions, such as the anaesthetists and the surgeons.

Right, shall we go to the next cubicle and meet them?

[Nurse] Hello, Angelos. Angelos is waiting for his surgery in the bed bay on our children's day unit today, so he won't need an overnight bag.

Make sure to pack one if you are staying with us. We will let you know if you need to stay overnight after surgery.

If you are, you will get a locker to put your things in and there'll be things like pull-down beds so one of your grown-ups can sleep over with you.

Angelos, if you look over there, you will see the play specialist in the pink T-shirt.

[Play specialist] Hi, Angelos! You can always tell who the play team are. We're the ones in the pink or yellow T-shirts.

We can help you if you feel anxious about your surgery, if you have any questions to ask, or if you just want something to do while you wait, just ask.

Oh, and remember Angelos, I can come down to surgery with you if you want me to, so just let me know.

[Anaesthetist] Hello, Angelos. Hello, you. My name is Corinne, and I'm going to be your anaesthetist today.

I am one of the doctors who's going to help drift you off to sleep and look after you while you're having your surgery.

There are a number of ways we can do this, and I'll explain this to you on the day of your surgery.

Sometimes we use a mask with special gas. Well, I think it smells a little sweet.

And sometimes we put magic cream on your hand, like we've done for Angelos.

One more person from the surgical team will be coming to see you, but don't forget you can ask anyone any questions at any time. I'll see you later.

[Surgeon] Hello Angelos, nice to see you again. Finally, the day you have been waiting for.

We discussed the surgery at the clinic, but now it is your chance to ask me any further last questions that you might have.

A lot of doctors will come to see you today and they will make sure you know everything that will happen at any point in time.

We will have to do the necessary paperwork, and then we'll use a marker pen like this one to draw an arrow at the site of the operation.

Would you mind if I draw an arrow at your leg?

I forgot to say sometimes there might be a bit of a wait so make sure you bring a book or electronic device with you. That's fantastic! Well done Angelos! Bye!

[Angelos] One of the staff will walk you up to surgery, or you might get pushed in a wheelchair or a trolley, which is pretty cool.

[Play specialist] Come on, follow us.

[Angelos] And your grown-ups can come along for this bit too.This is the bit I get a bit nervous at, but I know everyone is looking after me.

[Corinne] Hello again. It's now time to get you ready. All right, I'm going to give you some medicines to help you drift off to sleep.

Don't worry about the monitoring and the beeping. It's just here to keep you safe while you're asleep during your operation.

Your grown-up can give you a really big kiss now. And what we're going to do is we can all count down together. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[Audrey] Hey, Angelos! Wakey, wakey! Your surgeon is here.

[Surgeon] Hello, Angelos. Everything is okay. The operation went very well. You might be feeling a bit groggy now.

[Audrey] In a little while, we'll get your grown-ups up here. And if you feel much better, we can bring you back down to the ward.

[Angelos] Hello again! I was quite sleepy for a bit, but feel a lot better. Now, I'm allowed to eat and drink.

I'm looking forward to having one of my favourites, Evelina buttery toast.

Thanks for looking after me!

[Everyone] Thanks for visiting us! Bye!

Remember to bring your red book and your letter with you. You will also need to follow the instructions given to mum and dad about eating and drinking.

Once on the ward, a friendly nurse will show you where your bed is. You'll have a locker to put clothes and pyjamas in, and really important stuff like your toys and your smartphones. If you have been asked to stay overnight then there is also pull down bed for either your mum or your dad to sleep on but you must choose who gets to stay.

For adults, there is a kitchen to make drinks and heat up food. And if you need the toilet, fear not, they're everywhere!

If you have any questions then just ask. Or if you can't find a nurse then simply press your orange button and one will come and help you.

There is also a play specialist who might come and see you. And let's not forget the occasional visits of Nala the dog. Wait a minute that's not Nala! Ahhh, that's better. If you're with us for a while, the Evelina Hospital School is open during normal school hours so you can still learn loads of fun stuff while you're with us.

On the day of the operation you'll get weighed again. You'll also get asked some more questions. Only this time, you get your own identity bracelet!

Now the first doctor you will meet is the anaesthetist. "What's one of them?" I hear you say. Well, she's a super amazing person who uses the powers of science and medicine to put you to sleep to keep you safe and sound until the operation is all over so you can finally go back to having fun with your family and friends. And she even fights crime on the weekends! The anaesthetist will first explain the recommended way for you to drift off to sleep for your operation. You will also get the chance to ask any questions that you may have. You might also get given some magic cream which makes your hand go all numb ready for when they see you again.

Once the whole operation has been explained, mum and dad will need to sign a consent form for it to go ahead. This is a normal procedure folks, you will be marked out of 10 for your handwriting!

When it's time, a nurse will come to collect you or a porter will arrive to wheel you down to the anaesthetic room and yes, mum and dad can come along as well. The anaesthetic room is right next door to the operating theatre and everyone here wears blue clothing. They'll give you some sticky pads for your chest and a peg for your finger. Now remember having the magic cream earlier? Well what happens next is that they give you your own magic tap for your hand, followed by some magic medicine which looks like vanilla milkshake and this will help you to sleep. And yes mums, now is the moment when you give them the big wet kiss!

The other way, if recommended, is to have a cool space mask that smells of yummy, yummy sweets, and it slowly sends you off to the land of nod. Both ways are super safe and both give you super awesome dreams.

When you wake back up you'll be in a different room and the operation will be over. It will probably feel very strange and it can be a little distressing but there'll be loads of nurses dressed in maroon scrubs looking after you. And mum and dad can come and visit right away.

Once you feel comfortable you can return to the children's ward with your mum and dad and think about the incredible journey that you've been on. When you feel ready again you can play! Yeah!

Goodbye folks.