Children's unit

Parents can visit at any time and we actively encourage you to stay, in order to make your child's stay easier.

Any other visitors can visit:

• between 1pm and 4.30pm
• between 6pm and 8pm

...unless special circumstances apply.

We will always make sure that at least one parent will have somewhere to sleep. In the cubicles, there is a pull-down bed. Maximum weight is 15.5 stone (100kg). Please ensure to stow and use the safety latches when not in use, and put the bed away in the morning (unless you are a nursing mother).

See the Raigmore Hospital restaurant opening hours. Ask for a green wrist band on the ward and show this at the till for staff rates.

There is a café and shop at the front door of the hospital, open every day. Vending machines have limited items and only take coins.

If you are exclusively breastfeeding, we will provide you with meals for the duration of your baby's stay. We will also provide meals for all mums of babies under 1 month of age.

If you are on your own, we will try to sit with your child so you can have a break. At busy times, this is not always possible.

Please do not bring hot drinks on to the ward, unless they are in a screw-top flask (we have some available to borrow).

There are free tea and coffee-making facilities in the parents' room on the ward, however no children are permitted in here.

Access to the inpatient pantry (at the entrance to the ward) is allowed if you are making up feeds or obtaining drinks for your child.

There is a washer-drier in parent accommodation should you not be able to get home to wash clothes - please ask staff.

We have lots of toys and activities to amuse your children. If you are in isolation (in a side room because of infection) we are limited to what we can give them.

We have play specialists and nursery nurses on the ward who can guide activities age or ability-appropriately. Please feel free to bring your child's favourite toys or comforter with you.

We have a classroom and a teacher, Jenny. Working hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10am to 12pm. If your child is in for a prolonged period, it is wise to get work from your child's school and our teacher can assist with this. Speak to the child's teacher.

You will understand that it is essential that sometimes we have to carry out procedures that your child, and you, may find distressing. We try to use distraction techniques where possible to minimise this stress. If you do not feel able to be present with your child then please feel free to say so.

In your absence, we have a duty of care to your child and may undertake some treatments in emergency situations.

Please provide your own supplies where possible, for example nappies or wipes. We have SMA and Cow & Gate milk, plus a selection of baby foods. We have sterilising tanks for your use in the pantry at the entrance - please ask for one should you need it. We also have bottle warmers. We are Baby Friendly so we have breast pumps for your use.

Please inform staff if you develop any cold symptoms and a lateral flow test will be provided to test for COVID-19.

Please ensure that bed rails are pulled up so that your child (where appropriate) cannot fall out. Please also ensure your child is supervised while rails are in place, as there is a risk of entrapment - these beds are designed for adults.

If you are in a side room, you may use the bathroom facilities provided. Otherwise, please use the public toilet in the ward corridor outside room 14. If you need to shower, you may use the shower in the ward but please restrict this to 10 minutes as the toilet will be out of use for the patients during this time.

Please do not put anything down the toilet other than toilet paper, as they block easily. Use the orange clinical waste bin for wipes and nappies.

Every morning, the paediatric doctors will do their ward round where they review each child. Feel free to ask questions. Doctors from other specialist departments tend to come earlier, around 8am to 8.30am.

These are free between 7am and 7pm. If you wish to use the TV outwith these times, you can purchase a Patientline credit card from the machine, or use your own card details via the TV. Should you move to a different bed space, your credit can be transferred. Please be sensitive to others and use headphones after 8pm when others are sleeping.

WiFi Internet is available - please ask for access details.

Parents are advised to control what your child watches, as staff are not responsible for your child's viewing material. Please also inform us appropriately of your child's sleep hygiene practice in regard to screen time.

Please put your phones on silent and carry out any conversations outwith the ward area so as not to disturb other patients.

Do not take photographs on the unit, due to patient confidentiality and laws around photography and privacy. You are not permitted to photograph or record staff without their permission.

You may see staff using their mobile phones for relevant apps and calculations - this is not for their personal use.

You will understand that staff cannot discuss any details of other children with you. Please respect this.

We will not tolerate any violent or aggressive behaviour towards any of our staff here at NHS Highland.