Patients and Families

In this section you will find a number of different resources for you and your child. There are:

videos and information to help you prepare for your child’s admission to hospital
links to a number of websites that have information and advice to help you, your child and family
contact details for a number of different support groups and charities that can provide information and support if your child has a particular condition

We hope you find this information helpful and would welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have on how we could improve this resource for patients and families via our Contact Us page.

Disclaimer: Links to charities and external organisations are provided for general information. We do not endorse any listed organisations. Patients can self-refer or contact these services independently.

Preparing your child for surgery

A Little Deep Sleep – a fantastic animation created by Bristol Children’s Hospital that explains to children what to expect before, during and after their operation or procedure

Rees Bear is a short video aimed at younger children to explain about having an anaesthetic

Dennis has an anaesthetic

(for children aged 8-11 years)

Dennis has an anaesthetic – Follow the well-known Beano character as he goes to hospital to have his tonsils removed – aimed at children aged 7-11 years

Anaesthesia – What do I need to know? A video about anaesthesia aimed at those who are 12 years and older

Ready, Steady, Recover – A short animation explaining 10 things young people can do to prepare for surgery (aimed at teenagers and young people)

Common events and risks

for children and young people

Common anaesthetic events and risks – A useful infographic explaining common events and risks for children having an anaesthetic

Health and Wellbeing

Boys Health

Testicular Health is a website with several resources for boys, parents and teaching professionals to improve testicular health awareness
Testicular Torsion (Ball Twisting) is a medical emergency most common in newborn babies and boys 11-18 years and if untreated could result in the loss of the testicle (ball). This video explains what testicular torsion is, how to spot it and what to do
Know Your Nuts is a helpful animation to help boys examine their testicles and know what to look for
Testicular Health – How to perform self-checks is a useful infographic developed by The Urology Foundation
4-skin Health is a website developed by clinical experts to help readers understand what the foreskin is, how to keep it clean and healthy, and provide information, advice and reassurance for anyone with concerns about their, or their child’s, foreskin

Diet & Exercise

Children’s Weight – information on the National Child Health Programme with advice for parents to help their children to have a healthy-weight
Healthy Eating – the NHS has created some hints and tips to help you and your family keep a healthy, balanced diet
Healthy Eating for Children is a food factsheet with more hints and tips to help children achieve a healthy diet
Activities to help kids move every day – the NHS has teamed up with Joe Wicks and several Disney and Marvel characters to provide you with tips for getting children more active

Smoking & Vaping

Quit smoking has some hints and tips to help give up smoking – it’s never too early or late
How to quit vaping provides hints and tips for giving up vaping
Vapes information from the FRANK website which aims to better educate teens about the risks of using drugs

Dental

Tooth decay is one of the biggest causes of school absences and is the most common reason for hospital admissions in children aged between 5 and 9 years in the UK.

All About Teeth is a printable leaflet that provides information, tips and advice all about teeth
The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry have a range of videos from Dr Ranj, Hey Duggee and CBeebies to help inspire children to look after their teeth
The NHS provides some tips on keeping your child’s teeth clean and healthy
Teeth Brushing at Home: The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) has developed a video with step-by-step guidance for parents, carers, and children and young people with additional needs on how to look after their teeth and gums at home, including sensory aware strategies and achievable goals.
At the Dentist: Another video from BSPD giving a walkthrough of what to expect during a dental visit, outlining the ‘reasonable adjustments’ families of children and young people with additional needs can request to help appointments run more smoothly.

Useful Support Groups & Websites

Cleft Lip and Palate

CLAPA – a UK based charity providing support for individuals and families affected by cleft lip and palate Clapa

Spires Cleft Centre – one of nine highly specialised cleft units in England and is the main provider of cleft lip and palate care in Thames Valley and Wessex. It is a twin-site centre, providing care for all children with cleft lip and / or palate born within the Oxford and Salisbury catchment areas Spires Cleft Centre

Craniofacial

Headlines – a UK based charity that supports those with Craniosynostosis and rare craniofacial conditions Headlines Craniofacial Support

Oxford Craniofacial Unit – one of four highly specialised craniofacial units in the UK, and one of the busiest in the world. Based at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, they treat both children and adults with congenital and acquired craniofacial abnormalities Oxford Craniofacial Unit

Ears, Nose and Throat

Tinnitus UK – a charity that provides advice and support to help manage tinnitus and they also have a free helpline available 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday Tinnitus.org.uk

Global Tracheostomy Collective – an international, multidisciplinary, quality improvement organisation dedicated to improving care, safety, and quality of life for individuals with tracheostomies. Free membership for patients providing access to patient-related resources Globaltrach.org

ENT UK – a professional body for clinicians caring for patients requiring Ears, Nose and Throat treatment. This site has a number of useful child-focused patient information leaflets (Paediatrics), covering a range of conditions and surgical treatments such as glue ear, choanal atresia, tonsillectomy and many more ENTUK | Conditions

Miscellaneous

Healthier Together – an NHS website that provides a wealth of information for pregnant women, children and young people covering such topics as advice for recent or current illness e.g abdominal pain (tummy ache); accidents and injuries e.g arm injuries; common health concerns; safety and prevention; emotional wellbeing and child development. Please remember to select your location (top left-hand corner) and the correct age tab to get the most relevant information for you and your child Healthier Together

Paediatric Surgery (General Surgery)

CDH UK – a charity providing support and information for those affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia CDH-UK

TOFS – a charity providing lifelong support and information for those affected by Oesophageal Atresia (OA) and/or Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF) TOFS

NEC UK – a charity that is parent-led and primarily offers support to families affected by Necrotising Enterocolitis at any stage of their journey NEC UK

Trauma and Orthopaedics

STEPS WORLDWIDE – a charity working for those whose lives are affected by childhood lower limb conditions Steps Charity

International Hip Dysplasia Institute – a website dedicated to Hip Dysplasia with a wealth of information for children and young people, their parents and carers Home – International Hip Dysplasia Institute

Urology

Mitrofanoff Support – a UK based charity providing information, emotional support and networking opportunities for patients and families who have had, or about to have, the Mitrofanoff procedure Home | Mitrofanoff Support