Information for Parents/Carers

The doctor has examined your child to detect any immediate problems but does not feel they need to stay in hospital.

Only a small number of children get any problems after going home. Most problems occur during the first 24 hours after injury. It is therefore essential that a responsible adult should be with your child for at least 24 hours after the accident so they can get help if they become ill.

There is no need to keep your child awake and they should be allowed to rest if they want to. However, keep a close eye on them if they sleep during the day and check up on them 2 or 3 times during the night.

In addition after head injuries children should:

  • Do gentle activities only for the first 24 hours

  • Be given light meals to begin with

  • Be given their usual medicine if they take any

  • Not play on climbing frames or bikes for 24 hours

  • Avoid noisy environments

  • Be given any Paracetamol syrup or Ibuprofen for children in normal dose if they have a headache or other pain.

You should take your child to the nearest Emergency Department if they:

  • Vomit repeatedly. It is not uncommon for children to vomit once or twice and you should not worry about this in the absence of other symptoms

  • Become unusually sleepy or hard to wake up

  • Become confused or do not appear to behave normally.

  • Become fretful or agitated, not settling with simple painkillers

  • Complain of persistent blurred or double vision

  • Have a fit or collapse.

It is not uncommon for children to be generally tired and sometimes irritable or clingy after head injuries. They might also have behavioural difficulties at their crèche, playgroup or school. When you feel your child is ready to start back again, you should inform teacher or the person in charge of the group that your child has had a head injury and asked to be informed of any problems. If your child has had such problems they usually settle in a few days but they can last longer. If this is the case, it would be appropriate for you to discuss this with your GP or return to the Emergency Department. If you need further advice you can telephone 111 for immediate advice.

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302