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Information on the risks and the common adverse effects of anaesthesia in children, and the long-term effects of anaesthesia, should be discussed and offered in writing to children, parents and guardians.^209,219

Where designated separate areas for children are not available, discrete segregated areas in the pre and postoperative pathways should be available. They should be made as child friendly as possible.¹¹⁷

Children should never be left unattended in the recovery area.²²⁰

Children have an increased incidence of postoperative delirium. Recovery staff should have an increased awareness and there should be local protocols for the management of this condition.²⁰⁹

Children with learning disabilities should ideally be recovered in an area with lower levels of noise and lighting and a familiar presence, such as a parent or their carer.²⁰⁹

The presence of learning disability practitioners in recovery when a patient with learning disability is being recovered should be considered.²⁰⁹

All staff working in paediatric recovery should be trained and competent in protocols, and should be familiar with the relevant procedures and personnel if there are safeguarding or child protection concerns that arise while the child is in theatre.²¹⁷

There should be a minimum of one member of the recovery staff, or an anaesthetist with advanced training in paediatric life support on duty. All members of recovery staff should have up-to-date paediatric competencies including resuscitation.²⁰¹

Paediatric equipment to cover all ages should be available in recovery, including a full range of sizes of facemasks, breathing systems, airway adjuncts and tracheal tubes. Essential monitoring equipment includes a full range of paediatric non-invasive blood pressure cuffs and small pulse oximeter probes. Capnography should also be available.²⁰¹

Parents and children should be appropriately educated and equipped with information to address common issues they may face postoperatively, in recovery and on discharge. This information should include leaflets for common procedures highlighting risks and these should be developed locally with support from area networks.²²¹