Welcome to children, adolescents and parents.

Our section looks after children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years who are to have an operation within the following surgical areas:

• Plastic surgery
• Surgery in the musculoskeletal system
• Ear-nose-throat surgery
• Maxillofacial surgeon
• Eye surgery

The Children and Adolescents with Surgical Diseases in the Face, Bones and Joints section is at Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Entrance 3, 8th floor.

Parking

Unfortunately, there is no free parking for patients or visitors at Rigshospitalet during hospitalization or visit. See parking charges on public roads or use public transport. Read more about the parking rules on Rigshospitalet's website.

Contact

You can contact the sections in the daytime on the following telephone number:
+45 35 45 30 32

Important information about ARRIVAL TIME for an operation

Some children arrive at the section to prepare for surgery on the day before their operation, others are prepared for surgery at their first visit to the hospital (preliminary examination) and arrive at the section on the day of their operation.

If everything is ready, and you arrive at the section on the day of the operation, call the section on the day before between 14:00 and 15:00 on telephone no. +45-3545-3084 (then press 1 for a nurse).

During the telephone call, you will be told about when to arrive, the expected time of the operation and instructions about fasting and not drinking as well as how to use the EMLA patch (local anaesthetic) on the day of the operation. Remember to buy an EMLA patch for the backs of both hands and paracetamol before arriving for the operation.

Time of operation and waiting time

You may have some waiting time on the day of the operation, because it is not possible to predict precisely how long an operation will take. Therefore, the time of the operation is only a guide.

Fasting and liquids

Your child can only be operated on if he or she has followed the instructions on fasting and not drinking.

The following usually applies:

• Food may be consumed up to six hours before the operation
• Babies may may receive infant formula up to four hours before the operation
• Babies may be breast-fed up to three hours before the operation
• Your child may drink clear liquids (water, juice, filtered apple juice) up to one hour before the operation. Encourage your child to drink up to one hour before the operation, as your child will recover better after the operation if he or she has had plenty of liquid.

If the operation is significantly delayed, we will offer clear liquids for as long as possible. However, this will be an individual assessment by the staff.

Taking temperature

It is important that you take your child's temperature in the morning of the day of the operation. If possible, take the temperature of your child in the anus as this is the most accurate. If the temperature is 38 degrees or above, contact the section.

Patient safety

In the interests of the patient safety, your child will be given an identification wristband to wear during admission. Your child should keep the wristband on at all times throughout admission.

Visiting

The section has no fixed visiting hours. It’s up to the individual family to decide when it suits them to visit. A visit and distraction can benefit for both patients and parents. Please consider the other patients. For long visits or visits by more than one person, consider other patients on the ward and please use our family lounge. We would be grateful if visitors could leave the section by around 22:00 so that the children can sleep. Keep abreast of the latest Covid-19 restrictions on Rigshospitalet's website.

Everyday life at the section

As parents or guardians, you are the most important persons for your child when they are in hospital. You are our close partners, and we will include you in our care for your child. We will work best together if you tell us about what you’re thinking, what you want, and your experience, so that we can support your child during their stay at the hospital. Make sure to speak with your child and with each other about the process, before, during and after admission.

Nurses on the day shift start at 07:00. They start by arranging who is to take care of which child. As far as possible, we try to make sure that the same nurses look after your child throughout their admission. 
Between 08:00-09:00 in the morning, the nurses meet with the physicians. They discuss care and treatment of the children. Ward rounds are between 09:00 and 12:00 for the children who need to be seen. Tell a nurse if you would like to talk with the physician.

Overnight accommodation

If you arrive for preparation on the day before the operation, you are welcome go home to sleep if you prefer. However, a patient can have one parent admitted to the hospital too.

All patient rooms have two beds, except for two single rooms reserved for children and adolescents in isolation. In our experience, children and adolescents feel better if they share their room with another patient. Similarly, parents also benefit from having other parents to talk to. The sections receive acute patients so we cannot guarantee that you will have the same room throughout the admission.

If another parent or relative wants to stay overnight, it is possible to book a room at the Patient Hotel. Note that you will have to pay for this. Contact the Patient Hotel on +45-3545-2828 on weekdays after 20:00. We advise that you take contact well before the operation because there is a great demand for rooms.

There are toilet facilities at all wards and several showers at the sections. There is free Wi-Fi and also TV and PlayStation in some rooms. To hear the TV you will have to take a set of earphones or buy some at the 7-Eleven at Rigshospitalet. You are welcome to bring your own computer, tablet or similar.

Mobile phones may also be turned on in the sections. You can have a short phone call or send text messages, but please consider the other patients and keep your phone on mute. Furthermore, please refrain from speaking on the phone in the hallways, but go into the family lounge.

Sleep

It is vital for your child's well-being that he or she gets as much sleep as possible. We try to be as quiet as possible at night and keep activity to a minimum. However, for reasons of patient safety, there are a number of precautions. This means that we will also scan your child's wristband at night to make sure we give the right medicine to the right patient. There may be other procedures we have to carry out at night that cause a little noise, light and disturbance.

Food and drink

There is food for patients in the sections as well as parents staying there. Siblings younger than 12 years old can also take food from the buffet.

The buffet for the sections is open at the following times:
Breakfast 8:00-8:30
Lunch 12:00-12:30
Dinner 17.45-18.15
If you need a special diet (allergies, intolerance, special diet, religious requirements and similar), remember to inform the staff in good time, so that we can order the right food for you.

Coffee, tea and cocoa are also available in the sections. You can store food in the refrigerator in the parents’ kitchen and use the microwave and electric kettle. Café Arcaden, 7-Eleven and Espresso House are located on the ground floor, with various food and beverages for sale.

Activities for children and adolescents

The ward has an activity room and a workshop for children and adolescents during their stay. Please do not eat or drink in the activity room or workshop, and help us keep room tidy. The section has a social education worker, who organises activities on weekdays with the children and adolescents staying at the hospital. Read more about services offered to children and adolescents on Rigshospitalet's website.

Transport

You have to order the region's transport services to and from the hospital yourself. If you receive equipment (wheelchair, over toilet frame or similar) during admission, it is your responsibility to transport this home, as there is no space for it in the transport provided. This also applies for your wheelchair, if you are to go home in an ambulance.

After discharge

If you need emergency help, contact the helpline 1813/duty physician or call 112.

If your child has discomfort after surgery, or if you have any questions regarding the operation, you are welcome to contact the ward within the first 24 hours after discharge. If you have any questions related to the operation in the days following, contact the clinic at which you had your preliminary examination. You can always contact us via Min Sundhedsplatform or contact your own GP. 

Access to your child's medical records

You can access your child's medical journal on Min Sundhedsplatform. The child must be less than 15 years and you must have custody of the child. Foster parents can also have access if they have power of attorney from the custody holders. Complete a power of attorney and submit it to the staff at the department to which the child is linked.
For more information go to www.minsundhedsplatform.dk/fuldmagt