Hedgehog Ward

Hedgehog Ward is a 10 bedded ward caring for children from birth to 16 years of age who require care from a wide range of clinical specialities. 

It has 10 single en-suite patient rooms with a bed for a parent or carer. 

Hedgehog Ward is on Level 3 of the Variety Club Building. It is part of the International and Private Patient Service.

Hedgehog Ward is primarily run by our highly qualified nursing team but also includes consultants, clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists, healthcare assistants, play specialists, psychologists, dieticians and housekeeping staff.

Your child’s consultant, supported by a team of specialist doctors, has overall responsibility for their treatment and care. They will review your child regularly and answer your questions.

The International and Private Patients Service also has its own consultant-led, ward-based team of doctors who see patients every day. They act as a link between the child’s consultant, nurses and you. They will also be able to answer many of your questions.

Ward manager: Sarah Whincup +44(0)207 405 9200 ext 0514

Matron: Claudia Tomlin +44(0)207 405 9200 ext 8401

We have specific visiting hours on the ward, and we ask that you follow nursing and medical instructions regarding visiting times.

We provide facilities for one parent to stay overnight at the bedside, and it is expected that anyone not staying as the nominated carer overnight, leave the hospital by 8.00pm.

Hedgehog Ward treats patients from all over the world with the most complicated, and often life-threatening, medical and surgical conditions. 

If you would like to speak to someone about your child's admission, please contact our Clinical Pathway Manager on +44 (0)20 7829 6716 or 6716. 

Hedgehog Ward is a multi-specialty ward. For more detailed information on a specific area of expertise, please visit Clinical specialties.

Only one parent can stay overnight at the bedside due to space availability and patient safety. If you need other accommodation, we can provide you with information about nearby hotels. 

We expect and encourage a parent to be resident with their child during the full duration of their stay. We encourage you to take part in your child’s care as much as possible.

Each morning there is a daily ward round, led by a team of doctors and nurses, and it is essential that parent(s) attend these. During this time your child’s condition will be assessed and important information about your child’s treatment plan will be passed on to you.

It is expected that you take an active part in your child’s hygiene needs while on the ward. The nursing staff will talk through this with you on arrival.

There are two parent’s lounges for relaxing which are available 24 hours a day. There is a parent’s kitchen with filtered water, speciality teas and luxury coffee provided. 

The whole ward is Wi-Fi enabled. All inpatient beds on Hedgehog Ward have their own entertainment system, featuring a range of television channels. The system can be adjusted to a range of positions over the patient bed for ease of viewing.

We aim to make your stay on Hedgehog Ward as comfortable as possible, and the hospitality team are here to help you achieve this. 

All rooms are en-suite and have a parent’s bed close to the child’s bed to allow one parent to stay overnight. Linen are provided for both, but we do ask parents to make their own beds.

All inpatient rooms have en suite bathrooms with a shower. There are also several larger bathrooms on the ward, at least one of which has disabled access and hoists should your child require it.

We provide towels and small supply of toiletries, excluding toothpaste, in each room. We advise that you bring your own toiletries. You are welcome to bring other specific items for comfort. Storage space with a mirror and power socket is provided in the room. The room also has a lockable safe.

There is a dedicated play specialist and a variety of books, toys and games available. 

Arabic interpreters on Hedgehog provide an interpretation and translation service for families and patients during the following times:

Monday-Friday: 7:30 am - 8.00pm 

Saturday (and bank holidays): 8.30am - 7.00pm 

Sunday: 08.30am - 6.00pm

For any other language 48 hours’ notice is required to have an interpreter on site. Otherwise, language line is available 24 hours.

Laundry facilities (a washing machine and tumble dryer) are provided free of charge and can be found on Hedgehog Ward. There is no need for detergent or fabric conditioner, as the washing machine dispenses these automatically.

Operating instructions are provided in the laundry. Please speak to the hospitality team if you need any assistance. Please do not wash and dry clothes in your child’s rooms.

Food for your child

Our children’s menu has been designed following consultation with expert dietitians, and we can offer halal, kosher, vegetarian, special diet and normal meals. Please let your nurse know if your child requires a special diet.

A hospitality assistant will visit you each day so that you may choose your child’s food for either the same day or the following morning.

Food for parents

Meals are provided free of charge for the main parent/carer staying with their child. Meals are available from our hospital menu, and provided at breakfast, lunch and dinner time.

Tea, coffee, biscuits, milk, bread and breakfast cereals are all available in the kitchen for you – please help yourself to these items. As well as The Lagoon restaurant within the hospital, there are many other restaurants and cafés in the local area. You can find more information on facilities for parents here. 

Food can be reheated in the parent’s kitchen, but it is not possible to cook raw food. We ask that no uncooked meat be taken onto the ward at any time. In the kitchen there is a microwave and fridge to store food. We will provide stickers to enable you to label your food with your name and cubicle number.  The fridge is cleaned every day and out-of-date food will be discarded.

Daily afternoon tea, coffee and cake is served to the patient cubicle, with the option of assorted sandwiches on request.