FAQs

Previously, many of the medicines prescribed to children had only been tested in adults.  Doctors used a series of methods to give new medicines to children, including:

• Off-label – where a dose, which is lower than the adult dose, is prescribed to young people
• Unlicensed – where the medicine is used outside the terms of the licence – e.g. by giving the medicine in a different form to how it was made. (A large tablet may be ground down into powder and mixed with a liquid, to make it easier to swallow).

In 2007, the European Union introduced a legal requirement to ensure that all medicines are researched, developed and authorised to meet the therapeutic needs of children.  This requirement was introduced to ensure that suitable, authorised medicines are available for young people, and to reduce the chance of the medicine being ineffective or leading to side effects.

This depends on the research study and can range from a few hours to a several days.

Again, this varies from study to study, but can range from once a month to once a week, or even more frequently.

There are no special requirements for things to bring to an outpatient visit.

For inpatient stays please bring an overnight bag with any toiletries you may wish to use. Also bring pyjamas and a change of clothes.

Yes, there are pull-down beds at the side of the child’s bed for one parent or carer to stay overnight.

Yes, there are two single rooms available.

This depends on the study, although it is more likely inpatients will stay on the unit so that they can be observed closely.

All children’s meals are provided. Depending on the individual study, some meals may be provided for parents. See below for details of the hospital restaurant and other food/ refreshment outlets nearby.

We have a play room and a chill out room that include books, games, Playstation 3s, DVDs and TVs, as well as many other toys and activities.

If you choose to bring your own electrical equipment it must be tested for safety by the hospital’s engineering department before it can be used. Please speak to a member of staff to arrange this if needed.

The same doctor may care for you during your stay. If this is not the case, your doctor will be aware that you are taking part in a research study. The nurses that care for you will not be the same as the ones you see during your appointments. This is because our specialist paediatric research nurses only work within the research facility.

No, normal care will continue as planned. Your doctor will be aware of your participation in the study.

Yes there are. It might mean that new medication can be prescribed that may be suitable for your child and for other children in the future. Most studies also involve a thorough health check.

At the end of the trial when all the results are available, your doctor will inform you of the findings.

Most (though not all) studies will reimburse you for travel expenses and you may be provided with a taxi.

Yes there are a number of car parks around the hospital. The nearest one to our facility is Hathersage Road car park, which is a five minute walk away. Please be aware that there is a charge for parking within the hospital car parks. There are also a limited number of disabled parking bays at the front of the hospital.

All of our nurses are paediatric trained, so your child will be safe at all times should you choose to leave them.

There are areas where you may use your mobile phone unrestricted. Mobile phones shouldn’t be used near sensitive medical devices as they may interfere with the equipment. Please ask a member of staff if it safe to do so before using your mobile phone.

Yes, within the children’s hospital there is a restaurant and a coffee shop. There are also numerous shops on the hospital campus, and on Oxford Road just outside the hospital grounds.

The restaurant is open 24 hours a day. Sandwiches and salads are available at all times and hot food is served:

Breakfast          7:30-11:00am
Lunch               12:00-2:00pm
Evening meal   5:00-7:00pm
Snack service   6:00-7:30pm and 9:00-10:00pm

www.healthtalkonline.org shares first hand experiences from parents and children taking in part in trials, how they found out about the trials and why they took part.