The Ward 30 staff team in Tayside Children’s Hospital Ninewells have developed a new Childrens surgery information app to provide instant access to information which will benefit children and their families.
Funding has been provided by Tayside Health Fund, for a patient surgical information app provided by Piota, a healthcare communications app company. Smart phones and apps are widely available and increasingly used.
The app is a ‘one stop’ location that can be browsed at leisure and is easily accessible. It provides all the information needed by children and families when visiting Ward 30 / Children’s surgical unit for an operation or an anaesthetic.
It’s natural for children and families to be anxious about coming into hospital for an operation. It is hoped that the app will help to inform and prepare families, reduce anxiety, improve the experience and help children recover more quickly after a hospital visit and an operation.
There are many sources of information for children and families visiting Ward 30/the Children’s surgical unit at Ninewells Hospital. These include: telephone contact from staff, written leaflets, links to video and infographics from NHS Tayside and other internet sites. The app collates all this information and is available in addition to these traditional information sources. An additional benefit is that content can be adjusted very speedily, highlighted for example by ongoing pandemic Covid 19 changes. The app also provides an easy way for families to share feedback on their experience of using the app and about their hospital visit.
Emma Jane Wells, Chair of Tayside Health Fund said “Tayside Health Fund are delighted to be able to support the development of this app, which will provide families with information in a user-friendly way and enhance their experience of coming into hospital.”
Dr Grant Rodney, Consultant Children’s Anaesthetist, said, “We are excited to launch our information app for children and families. We know that having an anaesthetic and an operation is an anxious and worrying time for children and their families. The app brings all our information and leaflets in one easily accessible place. It explains everything about coming into hospital, what to bring, where to go, and the staff who will be there. There are pictures and links to videos which explain everything you need to know about having an anaesthetic. There is a feedback section and we especially want to hear about children and families’ experience of using the app, and coming into hospital, so we can continue to improve the services we provide.”
Feedback from a parent who had recently used the app with her child who was due to be admitted added: “My daughter found the app very reassuring. She was initially very anxious about coming in for surgery, but on looking at the app, she said it was good to hear and see other children talk about their experiences. She particularly liked finding out about the different people she would meet on the ward and what to expect on the day. The app was very child friendly and easy to use.”
Ashley Phillips, Senior Charge Nurse Paediatric Day Case Surgery said, “This is an exciting time for Paediatric day case surgery with the new Children’s Theatre Suite nearing completion. The development of the NHS Tayside Ward 30 Surgical app is an innovative concept. This will allow parents and children to have information at their fingertips which will be easy to access prior to and post-surgery. This is a fantastic platform for us to share information with regards to the patient journey and pre and post op care.”
Amy Buchanan, Band 6 Charge Nurse, ward 30, Children’s Surgical Unit, said, “We are so proud of this app and feel that it is a great way for patients and families to access information pre and post operatively. I’m excited for patients and families to be able to have an insight into what to expect from their stay and to meet some of our team, in order to better prepare them for their hospital visit.”
To Download the app: Search the app store or Google play for HEALTHZONEUK, then for NHS Tayside – Patient App, or scan the QR code.