18 month old staying in hospital...any money saving tips?

arlybarly

hi
my son has been in and out bham childrens hosp for the last 15 yearts.
the canteen in the basement does have 2 prices, one for staff anf another for patients, i was in there 3 weeks ago and we each had a cooked breakfast and it came to nearly a tenner with a cuppa and some pop.

tescos is 2 minutes if that up the road, it is an express but is pretty well stocked, sainsburys is a little furhter on.

every ward has access to a parents room as well which you are given a pass to use, they are pretty well stocked up with toasters microwaves kettel ect so if you do a bit of shopping in say tesco then you have somewhere to heat it up and some of them also have rooms off the little kitchens where you can sit and relax.

most of all try not to worry, if it wernt for a certain consultant at the childrens my son wopuldnt have made it to 15, they are fantastic and really do care about the parents as well as the chiuld as they know how hard it is for people with kids in their.

also parking, its murder and very expensive so think about how you travel, cant think of anything else at the moment but if you want any info then please PM me.

good luck xxxx

bylromarha

Thanks all for the advice. Emotionally, we're fine-honestly! We're both matter of fact people and know this needs to be done, so are just getting on with it.

The little titbits of info are exactly what I was looking for, thanks. The info we've been sent tells me nothing about parent rooms, so huge thanks for that one arly barly...it also says I can't bring in cooked food, but assume it's okay to bring in cold food and cook it there?!

A few silly toddler questions now...do I take my own nappies/bibs/child size cutlery/toys etc? And who looks after my daughter when I go to Tesco? And do the kids get a mid morning snack?

Ellie2758

bylromarha wrote: »

Thanks all for the advice. Emotionally, we're fine-honestly! We're both matter of fact people and know this needs to be done, so are just getting on with it.

The little titbits of info are exactly what I was looking for, thanks. The info we've been sent tells me nothing about parent rooms, so huge thanks for that one arly barly...it also says I can't bring in cooked food, but assume it's okay to bring in cold food and cook it there?!

That's a bit odd. The nurses used to pop down the takeaway when we were in the Middx - they'd ask if we wanted anything brought back. Also, I remember another mum buying a HUUUUUUUUUUGE pizza then offering some to me and my son (Mr PickyEater himself,lol).

Oh well. Maybe times have changed.

misscomickat

My friend works as a nurse at BCH, I can ask her if you'd like?

Gingham_Ribbon

Okay, DS2 has been admitted twice. At that hospital, nappies are provided, as are meals for baby, but not adult. There was a fold out bed that had to be folded back up again in the morning so they could clean under it. There was a playroom that toys could be taken out of and brought to the room so there was no need to bring any toys other than any favourites.

We needed his own clothes. There was an en suite toilet. There was plenty of hand gel. There were not enough blankets and pillows for the grown ups. Slippers essential - even if the room is clean, often the corridor isn't.

There was a fridge for parents to keep milk etc in, clearly labelled. If they do that, you'll need some labels and a pen. I had a box of cereal, some milk, some snacks and DH brought some sandwiches in every day. The canteen was not overly pricey but expensive enough if you're in for more than a couple of days and the food isn't exactly delicious. Plus, it means leaving your baby to go queue and that can be a bit distressing when they're poorly.**

The TV was free. There was a cheap payphone in the breakfast room.

I'll be thinking of you. xxx

** One time, the nurse convinced me he'd be okay if I nipped out for some breakfast, so I dashed out for a toasted teacake and hurried back to eat it in the room. I stood for what seemed for ever because no-one heard me buzzing to get back into the ward. I was standing crying with a cold teacake, half eaten by the time someone noticed me.

bylromarha

misscomickat wrote: »

My friend works as a nurse at BCH, I can ask her if you'd like?

Bless you! Thanks for the offer but no worries, we're off tomorrow. I guess as a nurse, she isn't in a position to change things, but if she can change the info they send out, tell her that the literature sent from BCH is pretty good, but it'd be great if they included more information about parent facilities available and more specific info for parents of under 2's who need small cutlery, special cups as it's these things I'm not sure whether to take or not.

On the plus side though, our travel plans have now changed and OH, being self employed, has now got a quiet day, so he's driving us in instead of me taking the train. Anything I don't need once I get there I'll give back to him.

Have just been to tesco though and bought some meals in a pot, cereal bars, anti bac wipes, humzingers thanks to all your tips.:D

arlybarly

bylromarha wrote: »

Thanks all for the advice. Emotionally, we're fine-honestly! We're both matter of fact people and know this needs to be done, so are just getting on with it.

The little titbits of info are exactly what I was looking for, thanks. The info we've been sent tells me nothing about parent rooms, so huge thanks for that one arly barly...it also says I can't bring in cooked food, but assume it's okay to bring in cold food and cook it there?!

A few silly toddler questions now...do I take my own nappies/bibs/child size cutlery/toys etc? And who looks after my daughter when I go to Tesco? And do the kids get a mid morning snack?

you cant cook a 3 course meal in there if you know what i mean but you can do simple stuff in the microwave and theres a toaster in every parents room as well.

i used to take my own wipes ect in but thst was years ago so dont know what the policy is now i think you shopuld ring and ask, you definately dont need cutlery ect as they do provide this.

the kids are generally well fed and there is usually a nurse to every coupkle of kids so depending on age ect just ask for snacks ect if outside meal times as they do provide them day and night as they know some children dont have set meal times in there as their routine is completely thrown out while in hospital. my son had his nurse who was lovely making him sandwiches and cups of tea at midnight.

as for whio looks after the kids when you pop to tesco just tell the nurse and they then look after your child while you go for a break. some parents arnt there all day as they have other commitments so they are used to parents not being there 24/7. so dont feel you have to be at the lkittle uns side every second as you have to go to the loo sometime!!!! i used to pop out for some fresh air (and a fag) before they got rid of the smoking room when my ds was asleep as to minimise distress toi him.

at night there are roll out mats for the parents to sleep on at the side of the bed and they are NOT COMFORTABLE so id take my own little pillow in for a bit of comfort as you find the days are long but the nights are longer.

i hope and pray everything goes okay and try not to worry even though as parents thats our job, the nurses, cleaners auxillaries and doctors are absolutely fantastic, and know that it is a very stressful and upsetting time for parents and children and they are all willing to help and lend an ear to you if needed. i cannot praise this hospital highly enough. xxxxxxxx

aurora_borealis_2

I stayed in hospital with sali_mali for over a month, several years ago.
At that time, you would be issued with a 'dinner ticket' as an attending parent. (My mum used to bring me sandwiches instead because I hated to leave her).

Several families used to visit at lunchtimes, have lunch, and then go again!!

I couldn't believe it!

filigree_2

Wow, Birmingham sounds a lot better than St George's where my son was treated!

I'd suggest phoning the hospital to ask if there is an information pack for parents. I learned the hard way how to manage and I did my best to help other parents, because frankly the staff didn't want to know. Hopefully Birmingham is a bit more clued up.

I guess the OP has already set off by now but in general I'd suggest:

Nappies. When my son was admitted to Intensive Care they grudgingly found ONE nappy that was too small :mad:

Child size cutlery and their preferred cup - again, not all hospitals provide and it's hard to feed a toddler with adult cutlery

Favourite bedtime teddy and some other small toy. In our case the nice toys were locked in the playroom (which was rarely open) and the toys left on the ward were dirty and broken

For the parent - toiletries and a towel if you're going to be there long enough to need a shower. Don't leave the towel in the bathroom or some skank will use it _pale_

Long life snack food like cereal bars and juice

The hospital might provide vouchers towards the cost of a meal in the hospital canteen. It sounds like they're well provided with parent kitchens for warming up convenience food. If you're really lucky someone will look after your child while you eat so he doesn't fall out of his cot and injure himself :rolleyes:

Can you tell we didn't have a positive experience?

pavlovs_dog

i would say take a book/magazine or something to help entertian yourself with during the long periods of waiting.

maybe a small pressie for your little one for being so brave?

plenty of credit on your phone, or change for the payphone in case you need to contact anyone.

hope all goes well