Giraffe Ward

This ward is for children with cancer and leukaemia. The department provides a comprehensive service for the diagnosis and management of childhood leukaemia and solid tumours. Depending on their diagnosis and treatment plan, children either have all their treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) or their care is split between GOSH and their local ‘shared care’ hospital. This second option means that children do not have to spend months in hospital when they could be at home.

Giraffe Ward is located in the Variety Club Building.

Giraffe Ward Nurses’ station telephone number: 020 7405 9200 ext. 6829

If your child has any additional needs, please call in advance to let us know.

Children on Giraffe Ward are cared for by a large multi-disciplinary team which includes are our highly qualified nurses and clinical nurse specialists, haematology consultants, oncology consultants, physiotherapists, pharmacists, healthcare assistants, play specialists and house-keeping staff.

GOSH is also a teaching facility so you will see student nurses and doctors completing their training, but they will be supervised at all times by a qualified member of staff.

The following members of staff will be available to help you during your stay on the ward:

• Matron: Mary Foo-Cabellero
• Ward Manager: Mariam Jaffrey
• Housekeeper: Saidu Yarjan and Monika Jurgutyte

Some of the conditions and treatments on Giraffe Ward include diagnosis and management of childhood leukaemia, lymphomas and solid tumours, histiocytic disorders and myelodysplasias, disorders of haemoglobin synthesis, red cell disorders and bone marrow failure.

Further Information can be found:

• Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group
• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support

You can learn more about our clinical specialties by visiting:

• Haematology and oncology information for parents and visitors

You are a valued member of your child‘s healthcare team and we encourage you to take part in his or her care as much as possible while in hospital.

Each cubicle on Giraffe Ward has facilities for one parent to stay overnight with their child, and each also has an en-suite bathroom which you and your child will be able to use. All cubicles are equipped with TVs and DVD players.

There are shops and cafes in the hospital for parents, children and visitors to buy refreshments, including snacks and hot meals.

The ward also has a parents’ sitting room which you are welcome to use at any time to rest and relax.

Mobile phones can be used in the cubicle, the parents’ room and the corridor outside the ward. Using them elsewhere can interfere with our medical equipment, and can also be disruptive to other families. You can use your mobile phone around the hospital but only in designated mobile-friendly zones.

There are also individual telephones beside each bed in the ward‘s cubicles. Visitors are welcome to call you directly on your dedicated phone line. To make outgoing calls, you can buy telephone cards in the hospital shop.

Giraffe Ward has a well-equipped playroom and a play specialist during the week who organises activities. The play specialist can provide age appropriate play opportunities and can help to prepare your child for the procedures that he or she will undergo in hospital.

More information

For more information about facilities available for parents, family members, visitors and patients in the hospital, including the Chapel and multi-faith room, hospital school, activity centre and information on where you can eat or find facilities such as launderettes, please visit our Facilities A-Z page.