Children’s day cases

Information for children and their carers

We look after a lot of children in the Day Surgery Unit. In an average year, 1,000 children undergo some form of surgery here, avoiding staying a night in hospital.

It is important to help to prepare children for their visit to hospital, so we have provided links to leaflets and videos giving information about children’s anaesthetics from the Royal College of Anaesthetists for parents and carers.

Little Journey app

This app is designed to help children and their families prepare for hospital visits, surgeries and minor procedures. It aims to build confidence and reduce anxiety ahead of a child’s visit to hospital.

Prepare your child for their hospital visit from the comfort of your own home. Find out what to expect, what will happen, and who you will both meet along the way.

The app features:

For children: Virtual tours, fun games, and animations to familiarise and relax.
For grown-ups: Helpful reminders, hospital guides, and information articles.

You can download the app or learn more on the Little Journey website.

Leaflets

This is an excellent, detailed leaflet from the Royal College of Anaesthetists explaining your child’s anaesthetic:

Your child’s general anaesthetic – for parents and carers

Leaflets to share with your child

My day case operation – an easy read

The leaflet is designed to assist with the preparation and management of children attending for day surgery who have learning disabilities or language and communication difficulties:

My day case operation

This easy-read leaflet was originally prepared by individual anaesthetists at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust for the use of patients in their own hospital. Torbay has not been directly involved in its production. However, it has been recognised by the Royal College of Anaesthetists as useful for wider distribution.

Videos to share with your child

A little deep sleep

‘A little deep sleep – a family guide to anaesthetics‘ aims to ease anxieties children may have about anaesthetics, giving them a clear idea about what might happen during a family’s hospital visit. It takes the viewer on an authentic journey from entering hospital to going home, including undergoing an anaesthetic and waking up after surgery.