Haematology and oncology discharge education for parent and carers

This page provides education videos to help you prepare to take your child home from Great Ormond Street Hospital for the first time, following a cancer diagnosis.

These videos will help you understand the symptoms you need to watch for, when you are at home throughout your child’s cancer treatment. They provide important guidance on what you need to do, if your child becomes unwell at home.

After watching these videos your child’s nurse will come and talk with you and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you have.

Disclaimer: the information in these videos is for the attention of parents/carers of children with cancer receiving treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust only.

During your child’s treatment they will be cared for by, both, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and their shared care hospital. This video explains how shared care works.

Your child’s blood counts will be affected by cancer treatment. This video explains what blood counts are and how we can manage low blood counts in your child.

Your child will be at risk of infection during their cancer treatment. This video explains what to do if your child develops a high temperature or becomes unwell, at home.

This video contains very important information. Please make sure that you understand the information and ask questions if you are unsure.

There are different types of infection that can affect your child during cancer treatment. This video explains these different types of infections.

This video explains the different side-effects that can be caused by cancer treatment and a basic introduction to how they are managed.

Your child will have a central venous access device placed to make it easier to give their treatment and to monitor and manage side-effects. Your child’s central line will usually be referred to as either a portacath or hickman line. Which type of central line they have will depend on the treatment they are receiving.

These videos show you what you need to know to keep your child’s central line safe.

If you do not know whether your child has a portacath or hickman line, please ask their nurse.

• Portacath safety video
• Hickman line safety video

This video explains about seasonal flu vaccine and childhood immunisations, following your child’s cancer treatment.

This video provides information about how to maintain some normality in family life during your child’s cancer treatment. It includes information about the support available to your child and the wider family.