“Children are our most valuable resource”

In the practice of anaesthesia, children are considered to be a special population group. Children below the age of 12 are not “small adults”, but rather a physiologically different group all together. They require special consideration and extra care. Furthermore, they are often unable to fully understand what is happening to them, necessitating at least one co-operating parent/guardian/loved one to be present. It is also important to note that children below the age of 12 may not consent to medical or surgical treatment, and children between the age of 12 and 18 require parental/legal guardian assistance when signing informed consent for surgical treatment. Therefore, as a parent or legal guardian, it is your responsibility to fully understand the anaesthetic process so that you may either sign consent on behalf of your child, or assist them in signing consent for themselves.

Please download and read the following PDF document. It contains important information with regards to preparing yourself and your child for anaesthesia. It also contains valuable links to some resources that you can use to explain the process to your child.

Paediatric anaesthesia information sheet