Dermatology
Team
If you have rash on your
skin, the dermatology(skin) doctor and nurse will look at it and prescribe cream or medicine to make it better.
Dieticians
Dieticians are experts on eating, drinking and feeding. They sometimes
come to make sure you are eating and drinking properly, or if you need a special diet.
They sometimes might order different foods for you, or they might give you special
milkshakes and drinks if you need a boost of energy.
Doctors
There are many different types of doctors in our hospital. They work with
patients of all ages from the very young to the very old. The doctors that look after
children and adolescents are called paediatricians ('peed-e-a-trish-e-anns', a funny word
the ancient Greeks gave us). They have special training to be able to look after children
and teenagers.
Endocrine
Nurse Specialist
Children come in all different shapes and
sizes. Some are tall, some are small, some are thin and some are not so thin. If you
are growing too slowly or too quickly the Endocrine Nurse will measure your height and
weight, and fill in a growth chart which will help the Doctor to decide if you are
growing properly. She will also measure Mum and Dad so that you will know what height you
will be when you are fully grown.
Household Staff
These are the people who keep the hospital clean and bright. It is very
important that a hospital is kept clean so that you will not get any other illnesses.
Nurses
There are lots of nurses who are specially trained to look after you.
Nurses work shifts (when one finishes another nurse starts) so there is always someone to
look after you. You will always be told the name of the nurse who is looking after you.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists will show you different types of exercises that you can do
to make sure that you will be back to normal as soon as possible. It is not always hard
work and can be fun!
Play specialists
Playing can make us all feel better. That is why we have Play specialists in the National Children’s Hospital. They
encourage you to play and they are specially trained to use play to help make you feel
better. They also help prepare you for your treatment by letting you dress up and act it
out. If you are really lucky you can dress up as a doctor or nurse!
Porters
If you need to be moved from your room to another place in the hospital
the porters will be the people that will bring you where you need to go.
Psychologists
Coming to hospital is often a new experience for children. A psychologists (sy-col-o-jists) job is to talk
with you and your parents about being in hospital, your illness and your treatment.
Sometimes children feel a bit scared about it all. Our job is to find out what bits you
may find scary and help you come up with ways of dealing with them.
Radiographers
Radiographers are the people who will take your x-ray to see if you have
any broken bones. They take special pictures that show all the bones in your body.
Respiratory Nurse Specialist
Respiratory Nurse Specialist looks after you if you have
asthma or other breathing problems. We show you how to use your inhalers correctly and how
to keep your lungs healthy.
Teachers
We have a primary school teacher in the hospital who will help you with
the school work and will ensure that your education continues while you are with us.
Social
Workers
Social workers talk and listen to
patients in hospital and to their mums, dads, brothers and sisters. They help people who
have something on their minds, to find answers.
Speech and language therapists
You will see the Speech
and Language therapist if you have any problems with talking, or if your chewing and
swallowing are causing trouble. The Speech and Language therapist will talk to you
and your parents, and will do some fun activities with you to help with your words.
She will also help your mouth and face get stronger, so that eating and drinking is easier
for you
Students
Sometimes student nurses
and doctors, who are being taught about medicines, illnesses and caring for patients, may
come to see you. Meeting patients who are sick helps them become really good at their jobs
and helps them understand how they can best help other patients like you in the future.
Volunteers
We have people who volunteer to help in the National Children’s
Hospital. You may meet them during your stay with us. They will be helping the staff in
the Hospital.
