Sunshine Ward is the Paediatric inpatient ward within Kingston Hospital. Children are admitted here from the Paediatric Emergency Department (ED), or from the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU).
The inpatient ward is for children who are unwell, and need to stay in hospital to be monitored.
During your child’s stay on the ward they will be reviewed regularly by the nursing team, and be seen daily by the medical team, led by the Paediatric Consultant of the week during the daily ward round.
Sunshine Ward is a 24 bedded ward including 8 cubicles. If your child needs to be isolated, they will have a cubicle to themselves.
Sunshine Ward is staffed by:
Other teams that may be involved in your child’s care include
Only one parent can stay overnight. This is because of space and safety precautions.
Visitors are allowed to visit during the day; however there are currently COVID-19 restrictions in place. Please see the section below: What do we need to know about visiting during the Coronavirus pandemic? for more information.
While staying on Sunshine Ward it is important that the following rules are adhered to, in order to keep everyone safe:
Food is available for all paediatric inpatients and breastfeeding mothers.
Breakfast is presented on a breakfast trolley outside of the kitchen. Please help yourself to yoghurt, fresh fruit and a choice of cereal. If you would like toast, please ask the nurse caring for you.
Lunch is served at around 12pm, and dinner at around 5:30pm. The trolley will be located outside of the kitchen. There is a variety of hot meals and sandwiches to choose from, along with fresh fruit, yoghurts and desserts. A daily menu is available so you can see what is being offered, just ask your nurse.
Snack packs are also available if your child is hungry throughout the day. Just ask your nurse who will happily order one for you. Snack packs contain a sandwich of your choice, crisps and a drink.
If you do not fancy anything on the food trolley, it is possible for you to order takeaway. Please arrange to collect the takeaway at the front entrance to the hospital. (Bernard Meade Wing Entrance)
We have put together a checklist for you, so you can remember all the important things you may need. It’s a good idea to bring the following:
Try where possible to leave any valuable items at home, and to only pack essentials as to not clutter up the bed space or cubicle.
Following a period of observation and any relevant investigations the medical team may decide they are happy for you to be discharged home.
You will be given appropriate written advice on what your child is being treated for, alongside safety net advice, which outlines when you would need to come back to hospital.
You may also be given a copy of your discharge summary, which is a brief summary of your visit, including why you attended, what treatment has been given and any further advice or treatment we would like you to continue at home which is sent to your GP. Sometimes it isn’t possible to leave the department with your discharge summary, in which case it will be posted to you.
If the medical team have decided that your child or young person requires medication, this will be organised before your departure. The medical and nursing teams will ensure any medication needed is ordered and retrieved before you go home. This may take some time, so please expect to wait even after the medical team have said your child will be able to go home.
Your nurse will chat through your medicine with you and ensure you are happy with administering it before leaving.
Some children will need to be seen again by the paediatric team following discharge. For this purpose you may be asked to see your GP or receive an appointment for an appropriate outpatient clinic. Appointments for Children’s Outpatients will be posted out to you.
Some children and young people will be asked to attend Dolphin Ward for on-going treatment such as dressings or the administration of medications. This appointment will be given to you before you leave. It may be possible for our Paediatric Outreach Nursing Team (PONT) to visit your home to administer medication or to review your child. If so, we will arrange for this before you leave hospital
Sometimes, a phone consultation is set up following an inpatient admission. This is to check that everything is ok, and that your child or young person remains well. This will be arranged with you before you leave if necessary.
The phone number for Sunshine Ward is: 020 8934 2325.
Please note, we cannot give advice regarding your child or young person over the phone. This phone number is for general enquiries about children who have stayed on the ward only.
If you require advice about a health condition, please phone NHS 111.
Due to the ongoing pandemic we have had to put some policies in place to ensure that we keep our patients and staff safe, these include:
