"This is the second stay for my ..."

What I liked

This is the second stay for my older son Gabriel. We come from outside the UK and were very pleased with the care provided and with the quality of medical care. Really, second to none. My son is now 8 and usually shy around people. However, he very much the child-friendly and entertaining spaces used for waiting and the engaging and friendly staff. Since I was coming from abroad, I was concerned about how the finances would be managed and found that the hospital worked very well with my insurance carriers and the whole process of checking in and paying when extraordinarily smoothly.

What could be improved

My son was there for sleep apnea treatment and the facilities for this type of treatment on not on par with others that we have experienced in even rather ordinary hospitals overseas in Canada and the US. This is the second year we have come. The first year we were put in a general ward with four other children. By this year, GOSH had set-up a sleep study area -- although it was rather draconian -- without much heat in the UK's coldest winter and in an area of the hospital that must have been forgotten. It was rather like being in a WWII submarine -- gray and drab browns, dark and very institutional with poor lighting.

Not to complain about non-medical issues: However, it would be great to have the cafeteria upgraded to be more accessible to children and child friendly -- since this is a children's hospital. The diversity of offerings was quite limited and very heavy food. I know that this is not the main business of a hospital and that it is likely contracted out, but still as a parent who may be there for several weeks with a child a lovely eating space really can help the spirits.

Anything else?

GOSH could be more pro-active in helping overseas and out-of-town patients locate suitable housing close by. We really felt on our own.

Actually, since what space they have for this is limited, it would be a nice added benefit for GOSH to engage some of the many local hotels in offering discount packages for longer term stays at the hospital.