In this section
When there are babies and young children everywhere it can feel like this is not the right place to you but we want to reassure you that the Paediatric Emergency Department is for teenagers too and our staff are here to support you. We want you to feel comfortable in our department and we want your voice to be heard.
When it is your turn to be called to see the doctor or nurse, we will ask you about the reason you came to the Emergency Department. Sometimes you have to tell more than one person, for example the triage nurse, then the doctor and sometimes another doctor too! This can feel frustrating, we understand this and thank you for being patient.
Sometimes the doctor will ask to see you without your grown up if you are happy to do so. You may prefer to talk to the doctor alone, just ask any member of staff if that is what you would like. This is a great opportunity to talk to someone who is not in your family about your whole life and any worries you might have. This might be about school, friends, bullying, gender identity, sex and contraception, mental health, drugs and alcohol or anything else. We are here to support you and can help and signpost you to any help you might need.
We really want to help, so try and stay. If you really must leave, please talk to a member of staff before doing so. If you decide to leave before seeing a clinician or being discharged, we may have to contact a family member or carer to ensure you are safe.
We know as you are getting older you want to make more decisions for yourself. We want to respect your choices when it is safe to do so.
LGBTQ+
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive department. Sexual and gender identity can feel confusing at times. We will listen without judgement. If we get something wrong, please let us know as we want to learn and improve.
For more information about and support see:
https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/lgbtq-resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Effected by changing mood? Feeling sad or anxious? You are not alone in these feelings and talking about them can be helpful. Please talk to your doctor when you are in PED.
We have more information in our leaflet on mental health and wellbeing or the section on ‘What to expect when you come to the emergency department with a mental health problem’.
Sexual Health and Contraception
You can talk in confidence to your doctor about sexual relationships or ask advice about contraception. If they cannot help today, they can sign post to the best place that can.
https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/lgbtq-resources/relationships-sexual-health/contraception/
https://thenorthernsexualhealth.co.uk/our-clinics/
Unhappy or unsafe at home
If you are feeling scared at home or at school, whatever the reason, it is important to talk to a trusted grown up. You can talk to us here at the hospital and we can help.
Life affected by violence
We understand that teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to getting caught up in violence through no fault of their own. This can be scary, and it can be hard to know where to turn for help.
We work closely with the Violence Reduction Unit to offer non-judgemental support to any young person in Manchester affected by violence.
You can self refer to https://oasis-gm.org/navigator for support, or talk to you doctor and we can do this for you.