Paediatric Surgery at East Sydney Private Hospital
Supporting children and families through surgery
When your child needs surgery, it is natural to have questions about what to expect and how they will be cared for.
East Sydney Private Hospital provides surgical care for children from 12 months of age, with a focus on creating a calm, supportive experience for children and their families from admission through to recovery.
Our hospital accommodates a range of planned paediatric procedures across paediatric surgery and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery. Every child is considered individually, with their age, health, procedure and care requirements taken into account before their admission.
Our aim is simple
Paediatric procedures at East Sydney Private Hospital
Paediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery
East Sydney Private Hospital also provides surgical care for children requiring Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) procedures.
This may include common childhood procedures involving the:
- Ears
- Tonsils and adenoids
- Nose and sinuses
- Throat and upper airway
Your child’s ENT specialist will discuss why surgery may be recommended, what the procedure involves and what to expect during recovery.
General Paediatric Surgery
Children may be admitted to East Sydney Private Hospital for a range of planned surgical procedures.
These may include:
- Circumcision
- Inguinal hernia
- Hydrocoele
- Undescended testes
- Umbilical hernia
- Supraumbilical or epigastric hernia
- Dermoid cysts
- Peri-orbital dermoid cysts
- Pilomatrixomas
- Ingrown toenails
- Tongue tie
- Mucocoele of the lip
- Pre-auricular sinuses and tags
- Branchial cysts and related conditions
Care that includes parents
We recognise that having a familiar person nearby can make an enormous difference to a child’s hospital experience.
Parents and carers are an important part of a child’s care, and we encourage you to be involved, ask questions and help us understand what will make your child feel most comfortable.
If your child needs to stay overnight, one parent or carer is to remain with them. We encourage a parent or carer to stay so your child has the reassurance of a familiar face throughout their overnight recovery.
Our team will support both you and your child during the admission and help you understand what to expect at each stage.
On the day of surgery
Before your child’s procedure, you will receive information about their admission, including any fasting requirements and when to arrive at the hospital.
Once admitted, your child’s healthcare team will complete the necessary checks and talk you through the plan for their procedure.
We understand that hospitals can feel unfamiliar to children. Bringing a favourite comfort item, such as a soft toy or blanket, may help them feel more settled while they are with us.
You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about your child’s care before their procedure.
After surgery
Following their procedure, your child will be closely observed during their initial recovery.
Some children will be able to return home the same day, while others may need to stay overnight depending on their procedure and individual care requirements.
Before leaving hospital, you will receive information about caring for your child at home, including any medications, activity restrictions, follow-up arrangements and signs or symptoms that may require further medical attention.
Your child’s treating specialist will provide procedure-specific advice and guide their ongoing recovery.
Is East Sydney Private Hospital suitable for my child?
East Sydney Private Hospital accepts children from 12 months of age for selected surgical procedures.
Whether our hospital is suitable for your child will depend on factors including their:
- Age
- General health
- Medical history
- Planned procedure
- Anaesthetic and post-operative care requirements
Your child’s specialist and healthcare team will determine whether East Sydney Private Hospital is an appropriate setting for their surgery.
Preparing your child for hospital
Children respond differently to the idea of coming to hospital. Simple, age-appropriate explanations can often help them understand what is happening and feel more comfortable.
Depending on your child’s age, it may help to:
- Talk positively and simply about coming to hospital
- Let them know that you will be there to support them
- Bring a favourite toy, blanket or comfort item
- Follow the fasting and admission instructions provided carefully
- Write down any questions you would like to ask the healthcare team
It is also completely understandable for parents to have questions of their own. We encourage you to speak with your child’s treating team about anything you are unsure about before the day of surgery.
A supportive environment for your child's care
For a child, surgery is about more than the procedure itself. Feeling safe, having a parent or carer close by and knowing what is happening can all contribute to a more reassuring hospital experience.
At East Sydney Private Hospital, we work with children, families and their treating specialists to provide planned surgical care in a supportive hospital environment.
If your child has been referred for surgery at East Sydney Private Hospital, our team can provide further information about their admission and help you prepare for their hospital stay.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: Information on this page is general in nature. Your child’s specialist will advise whether surgery is appropriate, explain the recommended procedure and discuss the individual benefits and risks relevant to your child.
