The Mater encourages parents to be fully involved if their child is a patient, as it helps children to understand what is happening. Being separated can be a distressing time for parents as well as children, but please be reassured that someone will be monitoring your child's progress at all times. Please ensure that other family members are cared for, as there are no child minding facilities at the Mater Hospital.

Parents are able to share their child's room, with a nominal fee charged for additional adult meals and accommodation.

For children who are undergoing surgery, arrangements can be made for parents to accompany the child into the anaesthetic room, if permitted by the doctor. The nursing staff can provide information on what is required of the parent and the child having the surgery.

It is important to discuss with children the activity in the operating theatres. The first thing noticed is that personnel all wear the same clothes, "shower caps" and that their mouths and noses may be covered. Parents should reassure their child that this is to keep everything clean for their operation.

Although the child having surgery cannot eat or drink before their operation, it is important that adults accompanying them do eat properly. Please check with the surgeon or nursing staff as to the length of the procedure. For longer cases we suggest parents have a meal while their child is in theatre. Please ask staff for assistance.

The Recovery Room is a 'high dependency area' for post-operative patients. For this reason only the minimum number of people are allowed into the Recovery Room. However, in many cases parents are able to be present in the Recovery Room after the operation and be with their child when then are returned to their ward.