Braemar has a reputation for its restaurant quality meals. Our executive chef and his team provide a seasonal menu for our patients. Our chefs are happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements or preferences.
We also have a special children’s menu that serves a range of meals designed to tempt our younger patients.
At Braemar Hospital we welcome children.
Please make sure that your child’s favourite toy or blanket comes to hospital as well. A buggy is sometimes useful for younger children to be able to comfortably move out of their rooms, as they are able.
In many cases, it will be possible for you to accompany your child to theatre and stay with them up until they are asleep.
As soon as your child is awake in Recovery we will contact you so that you can be with them. We find that parents and children benefit from this process.
At Braemar Hospital we have a great selection of toys and books available, dedicated children’s playroom, and also a few iPads with movies, games and books. Ask your nurse to arrange for these to be available.
A children’s menu is also available to tempt smaller appetites, and we never run out of ice cream and jelly.
If there is something else that you feel would make your child’s stay more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to ask.
In order to provide the best possible care for you it is important that you advise your anaesthetist or Nurse of all medications that you are currently taking, (including any herbal or natural remedies) and of any allergies or sensitivities that you may have. Medications you have brought in with you, will be locked away in your room for safety.
A pre-medication may be given to you prior to being transferred to the Operating Theatre. This will be discussed with you during admission.
Your surgeon or anaesthetist will prescribe any medications that you may need after theatre and the nursing staff will assist you with the taking of these.
If you are being admitted to hospital in the near future, the following is intended to help you understand Venous Thromboembolism (VTE).
WHAT IS VTE?
VTE is the name given to a deep-vein thrombosis (called DVT for short) or pulmonary embolism (called PE for short). A DVT is a thrombus (blood clot) that forms in a deep vein, most commonly in your leg or pelvis and can cause swelling and pain. In the longer term, DVT can cause painful, long-term swelling and ulcers. If a clot becomes dislodged and passes through your circulation and reaches your lungs, this is called a PE and can cause coughing (with blood stained phlegm), chest pain and breathlessness. VTE diagnosis requires immediate treatment. If you develop any of these symptoms either in hospital or after discharge, please seek medical advice immediately.
IS VTE COMMON?
VTE occurs in the general population in about one in 500 people.
WHO IS AT RISK OF VTE?
In addition to admission to hospital, there are other factors which place you at greater risk of VTE. These include a previous VTE, a recent diagnosis of cancer, and certain blood conditions such as clotting disorders. In addition, pregnancy, and certain contraceptive and hormone replacement tablets can increase your risk.
WILL MY RISK OF VTE BE ASSESSED?
If you are at risk, your doctor or nurse will discuss with you what can be done to reduce your risk and will follow best practice guidelines and offer you protection against VTE.
WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE MY RISK OF VTE?
If your hospital admission has been planned several weeks in advance, there are some precautions which you can take to reduce your risk of VTE:
Talk to your doctor about your contraceptive or hormone replacement tablets. Your doctor may consider stopping them in the weeks before your operation.
Avoid travelling for more than three hours in the month before your operation if possible.
Avoid a journey of three hours duration or more in the months leading up to our surgery.
Maintain a healthy weight.
WHEN IN HOSPITAL
Keep moving or walking; leg exercises are valuable.
Ask your doctor or nurse: `what is being done to reduce my risk of VTE?’
Drink plenty of fluid to keep hydrated.
You may be given anti-embolism stockings to wear. During surgery, you may wear inflatable sleeves either around your legs or post-operatively on your feet, which automatically inflate and provide pressure at regular intervals, increasing blood flow out of your legs.
On discharge, continue to wear your anti-embolism stockings until seen by your surgeon. If you have the following symptoms, go to your GP or nearest hospital: redness, pain/swelling in leg, difficulty breathing, pain in your chest.