When your child is unwell, it can be a worrying and stressful time. Our paediatric team is here to care for children and young people from birth up to 16 years old, whether they need tests, treatment, surgery or a short stay in hospital.

Whatever happens, our staff are here to support you, answer your questions and help make things as easy as possible.

Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit

When you arrive, your child will be assessed by a children's healthcare professional.

They'll then be seen by a doctor or advanced nurse practitioner.

After this, your child may:

• Be well enough to go home
• Need to stay in the unit for a short while for tests or observation
• Need to stay overnight on the Children and Young People's Unit (E5 Ward)

Children and Young People's Unit (E5 Ward)

If your child or young person needs care for a longer period of time, they'll come up to Children and Young People's Unit (E5 Ward) at Royal Bolton Hospital. The unit has:

• 28 beds for babies, children and young people
• 17 private cubicles for children who need isolation care

On the ward

Key things to be aware of

• Please don't flush nappies, wipes or sanitary products. We can show you where to dispose of them safely.
• Mobile phones are fine to use, but please keep them on silent.
• Please do not take photos or videos of staff or other families without permission.
• Safety is our priority. Our children's wards have controlled access, so when arriving or leaving, you'll press the intercom for your allocated zone and staff will let you in or out.
• Your child will always wear a name band so staff can identify them safely.
• If there is anyone you do not want to visit your child, please tell the nursing team. You can update this at any time.

Visiting

• One parent or carer can stay overnight.
• Adults who have legal responsibility for your child are welcome at any time.
• Other visitors can come between 8am and 8pm.
• Please keep visitors to two people at the bedside, including parents and siblings.

Hospital School

During school term time, our hospital teacher offers short, informal teaching sessions for school‑age children between 9am and 12pm, helping them keep up with learning during their stay.

Play Team

Our play specialists are trained to support children during tests, procedures or trips to theatre.

They use play, distraction and preparation to help your child feel less anxious and more in control.

Mealtimes

• Meals are provided for children staying on the ward and for breastfeeding mothers.
• Parents and carers with a child on E5 or F5 will benefit from free meals thanks to funding from Our Bolton NHS Charity. Please ask the ward staff for details.

During your child's first 24 hours on the ward, we can provide:

• Formula milk
• Nappies
• Basic toiletries

If the stay is likely to be longer, please bring your own supplies from home.

Children's outpatients

Your child may visit our outpatient department for appointments, tests or follow‑ups. This department is based at Bolton One.

A range of specialists work as one team to look after your child and help your family feel supported. We also run specific nurse‑led clinics including:

• Blood tests
• Skin‑prick allergy testing
• Pre‑assessment clinics
• RSV (Synagis) immunisation

Some tests such as x‑rays and ECGs can be done during the same visit.

Play helps children feel relaxed and prepared during their visit. Our play specialists can support your child with a number of activities. They will also help your child understand what will happen and support them through procedures.

Preparing for your child's appointment

To make your visit easier:

• A parent or legal guardian must attend with the child.
• Please try not to bring other children if possible.
• Aim to arrive 15 minutes before the appointment to allow time for parking and check‑in.
• Bring:
  • The appointment letter
  • Your child's current medications
  • Their Red Book (child health book)

If your child can't attend, please let us know so the appointment can be used for another family.

Paediatric Learning Disability Service

Our Paediatric Learning Disability Service is here to support children and young people who have a learning disability or global developmental delay, along with any additional health needs.

Our team includes specialist Learning Disability Nurses, Assistant Practitioners and Nursing Assistants who understand the challenges your child may face. We use our knowledge and experience to help your child thrive and to support you and your family throughout their care.

We support children and young people aged 0–18, or up to 19 if they are already known to our service and are moving into adult care.

When your child is referred to us, we will carry out an assessment to understand their needs. We will talk with you about your priorities as a family and agree a plan of care together. Our aim is to make sure your child gets the right help, in the right place, at the right time.

We work closely with other professionals involved in your child's life, including education staff, paediatricians and social care, so that support is joined‑up and consistent.

We work across Bolton and can offer:

• Group sessions for children and young people
• Home visits
• Support in schools, short‑break settings or anywhere your child regularly spends time
• Parenting programmes

Wherever your child feels comfortable, we'll do our best to meet them there.