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PAEDIATRIC ANAESTHETICS
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- The only UK private hospital dedicated to treating women and children
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PAEDIATRIC ANAESTHETICS AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At world renowned the Portland Hospital, we expertly care for over 7,000 babies, children and young people needing surgery every year. Our highly experienced anaesthetic teams are here to look after your child and reduce their discomfort immediately before, during and after surgery or any investigations they may need requiring general anaesthetic or sedation.
You can count on our extensive paediatric experience, as well as our state-of- the-art facilities, to help deliver the very best outcomes for your child. Rest assured they’re in the safest possible hands.
You can count on our extensive paediatric experience, as well as our state-of- the-art facilities, to help deliver the very best outcomes for your child. Rest assured they’re in the safest possible hands.
If your child needs surgery or an investigation, they might be given a general anaesthetic to reduce their discomfort, keeping them unconscious and free from pain during the procedure.
Anaesthetics are the drugs used to start and maintain anaesthesia, which simply means ‘loss of sensation’. General anaesthetics induce a state of controlled unconsciousness and freedom from pain, and they are given in the form of gases and injections.
Anaesthetics are the drugs used to start and maintain anaesthesia, which simply means ‘loss of sensation’. General anaesthetics induce a state of controlled unconsciousness and freedom from pain, and they are given in the form of gases and injections.
Anaesthetics are always delivered by anaesthetists, who are specialist doctors trained to look after your child’s comfort, health and wellbeing during surgery. They’ll also be closely involved with your child’s pain relief after surgery.
There are two ways that your child may go off to sleep in the operating theatre:
There are two ways that your child may go off to sleep in the operating theatre:
- By breathing a mixture of gases. Your child’s consultant anaesthetist will administer it by cupping a hand over their nose and mouth or by using a special facemask. These masks are scented so that the gas is pleasant to breathe. It’s not painful, and your child is usually asleep after a minute or two. Generally, this is well tolerated by younger, pre-school age children.
- By injection. Medication is delivered through a plastic tube (cannula) which sits in a vein on your child’s hand or arm. Numbing cream may be applied to your child’s hand or arm beforehand to reduce any discomfort while the cannula is inserted.
- Premedication. In some instances, your child may be given some medication on the ward prior to surgery. You anesthetist will discuss this with you when you see them prior to surgery.
Yes, anaesthesia is generally very safe, and complications are rare.
If your child needs a general anaesthetic, one of our consultant paediatric anaesthetists will first assess them to make sure that they're fit enough for surgery and ensure that their treatment is carried out safely, minimising the chance of complications. They’ll discuss your child’s general well being and ask about any coughs, colds or high temperatures in the two weeks prior to your surgery date.
They’ll also discuss the specific risks for your child, although you can also find out more about common risks here.
Your child’s anaesthetist will work closely with your child’s surgical teams to monitor your child’s condition throughout their procedure. Their anaesthetist will also be available to help manage your child’s post-operative pain, working alongside our nursing and wider medical teams.
If your child needs a general anaesthetic, one of our consultant paediatric anaesthetists will first assess them to make sure that they're fit enough for surgery and ensure that their treatment is carried out safely, minimising the chance of complications. They’ll discuss your child’s general well being and ask about any coughs, colds or high temperatures in the two weeks prior to your surgery date.
They’ll also discuss the specific risks for your child, although you can also find out more about common risks here.
Your child’s anaesthetist will work closely with your child’s surgical teams to monitor your child’s condition throughout their procedure. Their anaesthetist will also be available to help manage your child’s post-operative pain, working alongside our nursing and wider medical teams.
If your child needs anaesthesia for an operation or investigation, it can be a nerve-wracking time for them, and for you. It’s important that you have access to all the support and advice you need.
Your child’s consultant anaesthetist will see you before the procedure. They’ll ask you about your child’s general health, previous experiences of anaesthesia, any medicines your child is taking and any allergies that they might have. This is a good time to talk about any worries your child has about injections or hospitals, or any concerns that you may have about this hospital visit.
They’ll also explain exactly what will happen at each step of your child’s treatment and during their time in the operating theatre and be happy to answer any questions that you or your child might have.
Specialist paediatric anaesthetists
Expert at looking after your child’s comfort and wellbeing and keeping them safe during an investigation or surgery
State-of-the-art approaches
By gas or injection with supportive pain relief before and after the procedure, if required
Always here for your child
Specialist team care immediately before, during and after the anaesthetic is administered
PAEDIATRIC ANAESTHETICS SERVICES
Keeping your child safe and comfortable during their procedure
Our skilled and specialist teams are here to look after your child and help reduce their discomfort immediately before, during and after surgery or any investigations they may need requiring general anaesthetic or sedation. We care for over 7,000 babies, children and young people needing surgery every year, and counting.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your child’s time with us
Your child’s comfort and wellbeing are our priority. From the moment they step through the door until they’re ready to go home, we’re here for them – and for you.
Your child’s consultant anaesthetist will make sure that you have access to all advice and support you need. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help.
01
Going to theatre
Your child will be given a simple gown to wear to the operating theatre, or they can wear their own pyjamas, as long as they have a buttoned top. That can help to make things feel more familiar and reassuring.
A nurse from the ward will accompany you and your child to the anaesthetic room and they’ll be able to take a toy or any other comforter they may need with them. The anaesthetic room is next to the operating theatre and it’s a specially equipped, calm space where anaesthetics are started.
You’ll usually be welcome to stay with your child until they lose consciousness.
02
In the anaesthetic room
You’ll be taken to the anaesthetic room by one of our paediatric nurses alongside a theatre porter. They may be accompanied by our highly experienced play specialist team who work with children all the time and know how to make your child feel as at ease as possible. They’ll usually talk and/or play with them to distract them while their anaesthetic is delivered, helping the whole process to go smoothly.
If the anaesthetic is given by gas, your child’s consultant anaesthetist will generally cup a hand over their nose and mouth or use a facemask to administer it. It may take a little while for them to fully fall asleep and they may become a little restless as the gases take effect. Don’t worry, this is entirely normal.
If the anaesthetic is given by injection, your child will normally become unconscious very quickly, which can also be unsettling but again, is entirely normal.
Once they’re asleep, you’ll leave the anaesthetic room, escorted by one of your child’s dedicated nursing team. They’ll take you back to your child’s room where you can wait during your child’s operation.
03
In the operating theatre
Once they’re anaesthetised, your child will be taken into the operating theatre, where their operation or investigation will be performed.
Their consultant anaesthetist will monitor their blood pressure, pulse, temperature and breathing closely throughout the procedure, always ensuring that they’re safe and fully unconscious.
Your child will be given pain relieving drugs during the anaesthetic to help make them as comfortable as possible after surgery. The type and strength of pain relief that they’re given will depend on the procedure they’re having.
04
After surgery
Your child will go into the recovery room after surgery, where they’ll be cared for by a specialist recovery nurse until they regain consciousness. The recovery room is right next to the operating theatre.
Once your child has regained consciousness from the anaesthetic, you’ll be able to come down to the recovery room to be with them. They may be sleepy, disoriented or tearful as they recover. This is to be expected and will settle over the next few hours.
05
Returning to your room
When your child is comfortable and stable, they’ll return to their room, where they’ll be periodically monitored by the nursing staff to ensure that they’re recovering well from the surgery. They may need to wear an oxygen mask for support, just for a short time.
Your child will be regularly assessed by the nurses to ensure that they’re as comfortable as possible and they’ll be given appropriate pain relief, if its needed. They’ll be able to start drinking small amounts of water soon after they return to the ward. If your child experiences nausea or if they vomit, we can treat this with medication.
As soon as your child is able to tolerate some water, you can give them some food.
Our location
Your child will be cared for at world renowned The Portland Hospital, in London.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Paediatric anaesthetics FAQs
There are several things that you can do to prepare your child for coming into hospital for a procedure that needs a general anaesthetic.
Unless your child is very young, you should try and explain that they’re going into hospital and share some basic information about the operation or investigation that they’ll have while they’re in hospital and how it will help them.
There are several books and animations that might help, all available on the Royal College of Anaesthetists site. This is a great resource for the whole family – you can find it here.
We recommend telling children aged 2 and 3 years old about their upcoming hospital visit 2-3 days before and again on the day of admission. Children that are 4 and 7 years old should be told 4- 7 days before the day of admission and again on the day. Older children will usually be involved in making decisions about the operation or investigation and that discussion can take place in a more in-depth way a few weeks before the day of admission.
Unless your child is very young, you should try and explain that they’re going into hospital and share some basic information about the operation or investigation that they’ll have while they’re in hospital and how it will help them.
There are several books and animations that might help, all available on the Royal College of Anaesthetists site. This is a great resource for the whole family – you can find it here.
We recommend telling children aged 2 and 3 years old about their upcoming hospital visit 2-3 days before and again on the day of admission. Children that are 4 and 7 years old should be told 4- 7 days before the day of admission and again on the day. Older children will usually be involved in making decisions about the operation or investigation and that discussion can take place in a more in-depth way a few weeks before the day of admission.
Your child’s anaesthetist and a specialist pre-assessment nurse will usually ask you about your child’s previous experiences with anaesthetics or injections. They’ll also discuss different ways that an anaesthetic may be given, and whether you and your child have a preference.
Your wishes and those of your child are very important to us, however there can often be good medical reasons why an anaesthetic may need to be administered in a certain way.
Together, you’ll draw up a plan which your child’s team will aim to follow, and you’ll be able to raise any issues you have on the day of surgery, as well as before. Sometimes those plans may change, depending on your child’s reaction and how they respond at the critical time, during the procedure.
For us, your child safety always comes first.
Your wishes and those of your child are very important to us, however there can often be good medical reasons why an anaesthetic may need to be administered in a certain way.
Together, you’ll draw up a plan which your child’s team will aim to follow, and you’ll be able to raise any issues you have on the day of surgery, as well as before. Sometimes those plans may change, depending on your child’s reaction and how they respond at the critical time, during the procedure.
For us, your child safety always comes first.
Your child’s stomach needs to be empty during their procedure to reduce the risk of vomiting, which can cause a dangerous lung obstruction. We call this being ‘nil by mouth’ and your anaesthetic team will tell you at what times they should last eat and drink to be safe.
To keep your child strong and well hydrated, it’s important to keep giving them food and drink up until the times specified. This may involve waking them up in the night to give them a drink.
Your child should keep taking any medications they need as usual, unless your anaesthetist or surgeon tells you otherwise.
To keep your child strong and well hydrated, it’s important to keep giving them food and drink up until the times specified. This may involve waking them up in the night to give them a drink.
Your child should keep taking any medications they need as usual, unless your anaesthetist or surgeon tells you otherwise.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.