What is going on in hospital
Welcome to Confident Conversations!
We are here to support parents and carers while their child is in hospital.
We‘ve been there – we know how frightening, confusing and frustrating being in hospital can be – and we want to help you become a confident partner in your child’s care. We are run by parents, for parents.
Welcome to Confident Conversations!
We are here to support parents and carers while their child is in hospital.
We‘ve been there – we know how frightening, confusing and frustrating being in hospital can be – and we want to help you become a confident partner in your child’s care. We are run by parents, for parents.
I am a parent or carer
A parent or carer is anyone who is responsible for a child who is in hospital. This could include foster parents or grandparents, as well as biological, step- and adoptive parents. If you need advice and support, we are here for you.
Have a look at our full range of support below.
I am a parent or carer
A parent or carer is anyone who is responsible for a child who is in hospital. This could include foster parents or grandparents, as well as biological, step- and adoptive parents. If you need advice and support, we are here for you.
Have a look at our full range of support below.
What is going on in hospital
Taking your child into hospital can feel scary, especially if you’re not expecting it. We have advice on how to prepare yourself, including: how to plan for a hospital stay (if you can), what to take with you and how to prepare your child.
Hospitals can often feel like a strange new world with a new language and unfamiliar culture. We have advice on how to find your way, including: what will happen to our child in hospital, how to ask questions and get the answers you need and practical tips from other parents.
We also have a ‘hospital dictionary’ which explains common words and phrases, and who all the people you will meet actually are!
A diagnosis is the name medical professionals give to explain what is happening to your child. This might be a condition you recognise (e.g. the flu) or something you have ever heard of. It can be a relief to finally find out what is happening or it can be frightening. Many parents find it’s a mix of both.
We have advice on the process of getting a diagnosis and how to find out more.
At some point, you will almost certainly want to know when you will be able to go home – this is called discharge. This is not as simple as it might look! Medical professionals don’t want to give you false hope and won’t promise a going home day or time until it happens.
We have advice on asking about discharge, what to do on your last day in hospital and how to make sure you feel confident going home.
Bereavement is not a part of most parents’ or carers’ experience of hospital. If it has been yours, we are very sorry for your loss.
We have advice on what happens after a death in hospital and where you can find specialist support.
Taking your child into hospital can feel scary, especially if you’re not expecting it. We have advice on how to prepare yourself, including how to plan for a hospital stay (if you can), what to take with you and how to prepare your child.
Hospitals can often feel like a strange new world with a new language and unfamiliar culture. We have advice on how to find your way, including: what will happen to our child in hospital, how to ask questions and get the answers you need and practical tips from other parents.
We also have a ‘hospital dictionary’ which explains common words and phrases, and who all the people you will meet actually are!
A diagnosis is the name medical professionals give to explain what is happening to your child. This might be a condition you recognise (e.g. the flu) or something you have ever heard of. It can be a relief to finally find out what is happening or it can be frightening. Many parents find it’s a mix of both.
We have advice on the process of getting a diagnosis and how to find out more.
At some point, you will almost certainly want to know when you will be able to go home – this is called discharge. This is not as simple as it might look! Medical professionals don’t want to give you false hope and won’t promise a going home day or time until it happens.
We have advice on asking about discharge, what to do on your last day in hospital and how to make sure you feel confident going home.
Click here for more information.
Bereavement is not a part of most parents’ or carers’ experience of hospital. If it has been yours, we are very sorry for your loss.
We have advice on what happens after a death in hospital and where you can find specialist support.
How do I cope
How do I cope
Looking after yourself can seem impossible when you’re in hospital with your child. Understandably, you’re probably focused on your child and what is going on with them, rather than taking care of yourself. You may have loads of other things to worry about as well. However, it’s really important to make sure you’re doing ok so you can take care of your child and you don’t burn yourself out.
We have lots of advice from other parents on how to look after yourself and how to manage your relationship (if you’re in one).
While we all hope for the best, sometimes, in hospital, things do not go well. At some point you may need to have a serious conversation with someone who works for the hospital. This can be a straightforward, quick way to stop or change something that bothers you. This might be difficult for you. It’s ok to not feel confident in hospital or when talking to medical professionals.
We have advice on how to have a good difficult conversation, including how to prepare, manage the conversation in the way you want to and take the issue forward, if you need to.
If a difficult conversation does not go well or if something has gone badly wrong in hospital, you may want to make a complaint. You are absolutely within your rights to make a formal complaint about an individual or a hospital at any point.
We have advice on how to make a complaint, what the processes are and where to find professional support.
When your child is in hospital you are likely to receive a lot of interest from friends and family members. Most of them will be genuinely keen to support you, but being in hospital can be very stressful and even the most well-intentioned person can become unwelcome at times. Establishing clear boundaries that work for you is essential.
We have lots of advice from other parents on how to manage your friends and family, and how to approach friendships with medical professionals.
It can be hard for siblings to understand and cope with their brother or sister being in hospital. They will want to know what is going on and where their sibling is but children see the world very differently to adults. You will need to think about what to tell them and how.
We have advice on how to support siblings from managing their questions to hospital visiting and ideas for how they can support their sibling.
Click here for more information.
Looking after yourself can seem impossible when you’re in hospital with your child. Understandably, you’re probably focused on your child and what is going on with them, rather than taking care of yourself. You may have loads of other things to worry about as well. However, it’s really important to make sure you’re doing ok so you can take care of your child and you don’t burn yourself out.
We have lots of advice from other parents on how to look after yourself and how to manage your relationship (if you’re in one).
While we all hope for the best, sometimes, in hospital, things do not go well. At some point you may need to have a serious conversation with someone who works for the hospital. This can be a straightforward, quick way to stop or change something that bothers you. This might be difficult for you. It’s ok to not feel confident in hospital or when talking to medical professionals.
We have advice on how to have a good difficult conversation, including how to prepare, manage the conversation in the way you want to and take the issue forward, if you need to.
If a difficult conversation does not go well or if something has gone badly wrong in hospital, you may want to make a complaint. You are absolutely within your rights to make a formal complaint about an individual or a hospital at any point.
We have advice on how to make a complaint, what the processes are and where to find professional support.
When your child is in hospital you are likely to receive a lot of interest from friends and family members. Most of them will be genuinely keen to support you, but being in hospital can be very stressful and even the most well-intentioned person can become unwelcome at times. Establishing clear boundaries that work for you is essential.
We have lots of advice from other parents on how to manage your friends and family, and how to approach friendships with medical professionals.
It can be hard for siblings to understand and cope with their brother or sister being in hospital. They will want to know what is going on and where their sibling is but children see the world very differently to adults. You will need to think about what to tell them and how.
We have advice on how to support siblings from managing their questions to hospital visiting and ideas for how they can support their sibling.
Further information
Further information
I want to help a Parent or Carer in Hospital
Whether you are a relative or a friend, there are many ways in which you can support those dear to you during these times.
I want to help a Parent or Carer in Hospital
Whether you are a relative or a friend, there are many ways in which you can support those dear to you during these times.
Charity Registration No.: 1195742
Charity Registration No.: 1195742
