Click here to learn more of how to prepare.

Inpatient units (also referred to as "the floors") - beds for patients that are sick but do not require intensive 1 on 1 care unit Some units are specialized (cardiology, surgery, oncology) whereas others take all kinds of patients. Depending on how full the hospital is, you will be placed in the best bed for you. Learn more about bed placement here.
NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) - a special unit where premature or sick newborns get care.
PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) - a special unit for infants and children who need the highest level of care. This could include children who have breathing issues or have been in a major accident.  
PCICU (pediatric cardiac intensive care unit) - a special unit for infants and children who need the highest level of care. This unit cares for children with heart conditions. 
Psychiatric inpatient unit - provides inpatient care for people with serious, ongoing mental health concerns. These beds are located at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. 

Click here for virtual, site and floor maps.

Click here for more information.
If your child is going to be admitted for several days, ask your team about purchasing a parking pass.

Private rooms are usually assigned to patients that are at higher risk of spreading their infection to others or for other reasons determined by their healthcare team. The majority of beds at the Stollery are in shared rooms.

One parent or guardian can stay overnight in hospital with their child. Rooms have a reclining chair or cot for your comfort. Please bring only what you need for your stay as there is limited storage in the rooms. 

You can discuss with your nurse which washroom is best for parent/caregiver use. You can also request access to a shower on the unit.

For families from out-of-town, the following options are available. Many hotels have a special rate for families with hospitalized children. Just ask!

Click here for a list of accommodation options with direct links.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home and support for sick children and their families in a compassionate and comfortable home-like atmosphere. Ask your health care team for a referral.

Larga House provides accommodations and offers transportation to and from the Stollery for families living in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Signature Suites Campus Tower Suite Hotel is across the street and has special rates for families whose children are in hospital.

Ask the unit Social Worker for further information and required referrals.

Please tell your team! There are many things that your healthcare team can offer to help your child feel less scared or treat your pain.

You can ask for a visit from your unit's Child Life Specialist.

Did you know that you can request a Music or Art Therapist to visit? Click here to learn more.

Check out these coping strategies.

Rounds happen daily, Monday to Friday, when the doctor and your child's healthcare team will visit your child and discuss their medical care with you. Please ask your bedside nurse when the team will be visiting your child. 

Learn more about rounds here.

Other medical sub-specialty teams (i.e. Neurology, GI, Nephrology, etc.) involved in your child's care round any time after 8:30 am. Please speak to your bedside nurse for when to expect your medical team.

Review tips from other parents on how you can effectively partner with your care team here.

There are many health care professionals with special skills who will care for your child while they are in the hospital. This is what you can expect:

You will meet a lot of doctors and doctors in training (residents and medical students) and allied health professionals while in hospital.

Your child is admitted into the hospital under a doctor who oversees all the care of your child while in hospital (also called the MRP - Most Responsible Physician).

The doctor looking after your child will change every 1 to 2 weeks.

The admitting team might ask other health professionals to help treat your child while in hospital. These are called a consult or consulting services. The consulting services work in a specific area (sub-specialty). Some examples of consulting services are pediatric infectious disease, pediatric neurology and pediatric gastroenterology.

It can be confusing when there are many teams and people involved. If you are feeling confused or have questions, please ask the doctor overseeing your child's care. 

Learn more about the role of each member of the team here.

Learn more about your vital role as a partner in care here.

You know your child better than anyone else and we respect the knowledge you have about your child.

If you have an urgent medical concern about your child, you can push the call bell button, then talk to your nurse or doctor. 

If you are still concerned, you feel your child is getting sicker or you want a second opinion, you can call the Rapid (RAP) Response Team.

Call the RAP Team if you are worried about your child's:
Breathing or heartbeat
Color
Sleepiness
Severe pain
Restlessness
Or you feel your child is getting sicker 

You can have a nurse call the RAP Team or you can call them yourself at 33# from any hospital phone. Dial 33# from a hospital phone, and tell the operator that you need the “Rapid Response Team to Unit ____ Room ____”.

The room number is on the wall outside your child's room. 

Click here for more information. 
Click here for a quick view of the process.

Every patient and stay is different. You can ask your team for the Estimated Date of Discharge - this is their best estimate of when you will be ready to be sent home. Please note, this date is flexible and can change for many reasons.

Social Workers are available to support your child and family during your stay.
They:
- know about community resources and government programs (e.g. financial assistance, accommodation, transportation, FSCD, etc.)
- provide education and counselling (e.g. caregiver stress; decision-making; bereavement; childcare, employment, and benefit options)
- address the concerns of patients and families; solve conflicts within families and with the health system 
- offer supports as family's transition home or to another care setting 

Ask any member of your care team if you would like to meet with a Social Worker.

Kepler Academy, an educational childcare provider located across the street from the Stollery Children's Hospital, provides childcare spots for Stollery families. This is a flexible childcare service so families can be with their child in the hospital, while knowing that their other child (or children) are safe, in an enriching environment and having fun exploring. Families are able to access this service through the unit Social Worker.

See tips about how to engage as a partner in safety.

It is never too early to start planning for your transition to home. Consider these topics to discuss with your care team.  Click here to learn more.

Click here to learn more about Connect Care and who can access it.

You can always speak to any of your healthcare team members, the unit manager, or the patient care manager.
You can also contact Patient Relations.  Click here to learn more.

If you missed the opportunity to thank someone for the care you received, click here to post your thanks.

Spiritual Health Practitioners are specially trained to provide spiritual support to anyone (patients, families & staff), of any culture or religion, giving room to explore beliefs and values that matter to the person, at that moment in time
Click here to learn more about the services offered.
Click here to learn about spaces cultural & spiritual places on site. 

Our Foundation works to make sure that there is continual support and awareness for the essential services the Hospital provides each and every day.  Click here to donate or learn more.

Did you know that your child can continue with school if they have a longer hospitalization?

The Stollery Children's Hospital School offers patients learning programs unique to each child, so students can continue their education at their own pace. This can be done in two ways:
School Classroom Program – The child attends school in one of two hospital classrooms (elementary and secondary). Bedside Teaching Program – A teacher brings individualized one on one learning opportunities to the bedside to meet the needs and interests of the student.
To register, click here.

The Awasisak Team is a group of Indigenous staff here to assist you when coming to the Stollery Children's Hospital, while in hospital, and when preparing for the journey home.

They provide support for you and your family. Learn more here.

Visit them on the 4th floor (4H2.36 - across from the North Glass Elevators) or contact them: Office: 780-407-2313 Text line: 587-985-0167 Fax: 780-407-6131 Email: [email protected].