Kingfisher Ward

The ward is for children who need medical investigations and tests. Some patients are seen as day cases, while others are admitted for one night or more.

If your child is coming to Kingfisher Ward, this admission will have been planned with a clear idea of the investigations they need.

Kingfisher Ward is located in the Octav Botnar Wing.

Nurses’ station telephone number: 020 7829 8221 / 0454 / 0398

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

Children on Kingfisher 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.

Great Ormond Street Hospital (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:

• Ward manager: Sinead Kiernan
• Matron: Lucy Thomas
• Ward Sister: Sinead Kierman
• Housekeeper: Alvaro Sequndo
• Play Specialist: Rosa Clayden (Tues, Wed, Fri)
• Play Worker: Temporary staff

Lots of different tests are carried out on Kingfisher Ward, including blood and hormone tests, tests on suspected or known endocrine, metabolic, renal, neurology, dermatology, rheumatology, gastroenterology or urology disorders.

You can learn more about our clinical specialties by visiting clinical specialties.

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.

Of the ward’s 16 bed spaces, eight are used for overnight stays (two of these are cubicles). The other eight are for daycare. We also have up to 12 treatment room for patients that do not require a bed.

There is also a large open-plan waiting and play area for patients who are in for treatment but do not need a bed.

Patients being admitted will wait in the waiting room until their bed becomes available on the afternoon of admission.

The ward has lockers for patients to store valuables, especially for those families coming in for daycare who may also need to visit other departments.

The ward also has a breast-feeding room for any mums requiring privacy during feed times.

The Wi-Fi password can be found on the Kingfisher reception desk.

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

Kingfisher Ward has a kitchen where you can make tea and coffee or heat up snacks – there is a microwave. We also have a parent fridge that can be used for food.

If your child is on a special diet/feed, please contact your dietician to organise feeds and meals pre-admission. Please bring in snacks/food if your child likes specific foods. Please bring in your child's medication.

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.

Kingfisher 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. There is also a sensory room which is open all day.

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.