Surgical and Medicine - Ward C3 (paediatrics)

Please help prevent the spread of infection by:

• Washing your hands
• Using hand gels when entering or leaving the ward
• Do not come to hospital if any contagious illness, i.e. gastroenteritis

We have a range of onsite accommodation available to keep another parent/carer nearby.

Emergency Accommodation

There are eight twin rooms available for short stay emergency admissions, with priority given to families with patients admitted to critical care wards.

Please speak to the nurse caring for you if this is something that would benefit your family.

This option can only be booked after 17:00 with priority going to relatives with patients admitted to critical care. Once the duration of your admission is known, alternative arrangements will need to be made.

Acorn House

Acorn House supports families with a sick child being treated at Addenbrooke’s by giving them a welcoming and supportive place to stay.

There are 15 family bedrooms (including 1 disabled access), a large fully equipped communal kitchen/dining area, a playroom, a quiet room, and a courtyard with a garden table.

Please note, priority will be given to Intensive Care.

Elsworth House

Elsworth House provides temporary, on-site accommodation for families of patients or those who are awaiting procedures and need to be closer to the Hospital. Please speak with the nurse caring for you if you this option would suit the needs of your family.

There may be cost implications.

Pemberton House, Frank Lee Centre

Pemberton House is a guest house for relatives of patients who are in hospital. It is located next to, and is managed by, the Frank Lee Centre. The guest house has 9 bedrooms - 8 twin rooms and 1 single room, including downstairs rooms that are suitable for relatives with mobility issues.

Rooms can be booked by calling 01223 868300.

There may be cost implications.

Elsworth House accommodation

There is a parent’s room towards the end of the corridor on the right opposite cubicle F. Please ask staff for the code.

There are facilities to prepare hot drinks, with coffee, tea, milk and sugar provided. Please be aware all hot drinks must have a lid on at the bedside.

There are 2 microwaves provided. One is for heating food and one for sterilising bottles/breastfeeding - these are clearly labelled.

Please label food items you put in the parent/carer fridge. This fridge is regularly monitored by staff and expired/mouldy food will be disposed off.

Ensure you leave the parent/carer room clean and tidy. If you notice anything is low in stock please tell your nurse.

The water cooler can be found at the nurse's station. Please help yourself to water and squash. Cups and straws are available.

There are 4 patient/parent/carer toilets on ward C3. You will find these outside cubicle I, K and opposite cubicle D. Nappy changing facilities can be accessed in the disabled toilet at the far end of the ward.

Sometimes we close off toilets for specific patients so please look out for signs on the doors specifying they are for certain rooms only.

There is a parent/carer shower and patient bath and shower on the ward. There is a linen skip for your used hospital linen, please inform staff if it is full. In the patient bath and shower, there are bath seats and toys as needed. Please do not leave your child unattended in the bath.

There is a linen cage, placed opposite the nurse’s station. This has towels, bedding and pillows, please help yourself to anything you or your child needs and let us know if there is something missing.

Basic TV channels are free from 0700-1900.

Further channels/film can be bought. Turn on the TV and follow the instructions.

Find out more about the Hospedia bedside system.

Play team have portable DVD players with various films available on request.

Please be mindful of TV volumes and wear headphones when watching TV after 19:00.

Please ask a member of staff if you require headphones as they can be provided.

There is free wi-fi available using ‘CUH_WIFI’.

The playroom will be open during the working hours of our play team. Please ensure your child and their siblings are supervised at all times in the playroom. Out of hours, there will be a small selection of toys available on the ward.

We have 14 bed spaces at C3.

Allocation of ward and/or bed space is based on the clinical need of all patients and allocation decisions are the responsibility of the nurse in charge, in conjunction with the patient flow manager. You may be asked to move to another ward or bed space in order to accommodate the changing clinical requirements of the department.

We cannot guarantee a particular ward, bed space or cubicle to any patient. The nurse in charge’s decision will be final, based on the best interests of all patients.

The concourse is on level 2 and there are lots of shops open all week including the weekend. Costa is open 24/7. M&S is open 6:30 until 22:00 weekdays and 7:00 until 21:00 on the weekends.

There is also a seating area inside and outside in the concourse.

Directly outside the ward there are some vending machine that sell snacks and drinks, these are card only. There are alternative vending machines on level 2.

We have a stock of ready to feed first stage infant formula milks. Depending of stock levels these include Aptamil 1, Kendamil 1, Cow and Gate 1 and SMA Pro First Infant Milk.

If your baby prefers a different infant formula, you are welcome to supply your own in a ready to feed formula. We are unable to accommodate powdered formula to be made at the bedside due to the environment.

If your child requires a prescribed formula feed for medical reasons, please let us know as soon as possible as this will need to be prepared in the specialist feed kitchen by designated staff.

Breast pumps and equipment are available for expressing milk, and washing and sterilising facilities are in the parents' room. We also have fridge and freezer storage options for expressed breast milk, please discuss with staff to decide which option is best.

You are welcome to breastfeed here, please speak to a member of staff if you require any assistance or breastfeeding support during your stay. Our staff can offer help or signpost you to available resources.

If your child is in hospital for a long term you will be offered developmental sessions. We know that leaving the bedside of your unwell child can be difficult but is also important for your own wellbeing. If you would like someone to be with your child whilst you leave the ward for short periods please speak to a member of staff.

C3 has a play specialist who is able to offer therapeutic play. If your child is about to have a procedure, they will explain this in a more child friendly manner, giving your child the opportunity to look at the medical equipment in a relaxed play environment with the aim to make them feel more comfortable. The play specialist can also provide distraction during a procedure. If you feel your child could benefit from this please ask a member of staff.