Critical care unit information for families and visitors

Welcome to the critical care unit at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. You may see this service referred to as ‘PCCU’ which means paediatric critical care unit. This service is made up of the intensive care unit (you may see this as PICU meaning paediatric intensive care unit) and the high dependency unit (HDU).

This resource gives you general information about the critical care unit. It does not replace the need for personal advice from a healthcare professional. Please ask if you have any questions.

Finding the critical care unit

The critical care unit (PICU and HDU) are on C Floor by the green lifts or stairs in the hospital.

In the critical care unit, staff need to work with parents and carers. This means we are open and honest with each other, share information and make decisions together.

Telephone

The direct numbers for both units are provided below. If family and friends call, we will take a message but we do ask for these calls to be kept to a minimum. Hospital staff cannot give information about a child to anyone except their parents or carers.

ICU on 0114 271 7362.

HDU on 0114 226 0809.

Handwashing

While you are in hospital you will notice all staff and visitors washing their hands or using sanitising gel. This is to prevent the spread of germs and infection.

We ask that family members and visitors help us with this. Please wash your hand thoroughly at the sink opposite the ward clerk’s desk as you enter using the hot water and soap provided.

Visiting

As parents and carers, you can be with your child at all times. Only 2 parents or carers can be with each child at any one time.

Because the PCCU is an open and busy area, we have guidelines for people coming onto the unit:

Please speak to the nurse in charge or the family care nurse if you would like anyone else to visit your child during their stay with us. This is to keep the risk of infection as low as possible while still making sure that your child and yourselves are being supported.

Only children who are siblings of your child on PCCU are allowed to visit. We ask that all siblings can stay on the unit between 8am and 8pm.

Any other children visiting needs to be discussed on an individual basis with the nurse in charge.

All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while they are in the hospital.

Lockers

There are lockers available for you on the main corridor as you arrive on the critical care unit. Please leave your outdoor coats and any valuables in these.

Please remember to return the key when you leave the unit.

Mobile phones

Please feel free to use your phones at the bedside.

Please keep your phone on silent while on the unit and go to the parent and carer’s room to answer any calls for the comfort and privacy of other children and families.

Any phone chargers or electrical equipment must be tested by the electricians at the hospital before you charge them on the ward. This is for the safety of everyone on the unit. Please ask your bedside nurse or one of our housekeepers to organise this.

Breastfeeding

Please tell your bedside nurse if you are breastfeeding your baby. They will be able to work with the infant feeding team and the family care nurse, to give guidance and support to express your milk. They will also advice on how to handle, storage and giving your baby expressed breast milk.

All breastfeeding parents are entitled to a free lunch and dinner from the hospital kitchen. Please ask your bedside nurse for details.

Accommodation

Our family accommodation is provided by The Sick Children’s Trust. Please let your bedside nurse know if you require a room.

We have a limited number of rooms available. Due to high demand there are times when you may need to wait for a room to become available.

If you are waiting for accommodation or are not resident with the Sick Children’s Trust, there is a shower room available on D Floor on the corridor immediately opposite the lifts.

Toiletries and other essentials 

We have parent and carer packs available on admission which contain essential toiletries. Please ask your bedside nurse if you need any more toiletries throughout your stay.

These include toothbrush and tooth paste, shower gel, sanitary products, breast pads and towels.

Food and drink 

There is tea, coffee milk and sugar in the parent and carer room for visitors. Breakfast (cereal and milk) is also available for all parents and carers. Please ask the house keepers or bedside nurses if any of these need topping up.

The Sheffield Children’s Hospital are aiming to reduce the cost of your hospital stay and we offer:

• a meal of the day in the Parkside Restaurant between 12pm and 6pm costing £1.50
• resident families are able to claim 20 percent off hot meals in the restaurant
• a meal voucher is available from the family care nurse or the bedside nurses
• sustainably sources frozen meals in the freezer in the parents and carer room with a microwave available to reheat them. This is on a pay-what-you-can basis

Parking 

While your child is on critical care you are entitled to 50 percent off parking in Q Parks. Please ask our ward clerks who will be able to provide you with a voucher.

There are limited spaces available in the underground car park near the main entrance to the hospital. These are available on a first come basis.

Financial wellbeing 

If you are struggling with the financial impact of a hospital stay please speak ask to speak to the family care sister or PALS for some advice and signposting.

Mutual respect

The critical care unit can be a challenging environment and emotions can often be heightened. Please ask to speak to a member of our team if you require support with your own worries or concerns. We are keen to listen and support you.

We do ask that our staff are able to come to work without the fear of violence, abuse or harassment. Physical, verbal and racial abuse will not be tolerated and could lead to prosecution.

If you are worried about your child’s clinical condition and feel like you are not being heard please follow these steps:

1. Speak with your nurse or doctor
2. If you are still worried, ask for the nurse in charge of PCCU that day
3. If you are still concerned, ask to speak to the lead nurse or family care sister between 9am till 5pm or the site manager between 5pm and 9am
4. If you feel you are still not being heard, please call 017917 650206 to speak to the senior nurse on call

If you have any other complaints or concerns please speak to PCCU staff and they will help you.

Your feedback matters to us 

Please complete one of the family feedback postcards that are available in the parent and carer room and from the ward clerks office. These and any other feedback can be posted in the box on the wall opposite the ward clerks office.

You can also scan this QR code to leave feedback or speak to a member of staff.

Scan for Friends and Family Feedback