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Experiences of parents and caregivers whose child has been held for a healthcare procedure

  • This survey is for parents or caregivers whose child was held whilst having a test, treatment or examination within a health care setting.
  • This survey is asking you to share your views and experiences of your child’s procedure.
  • We are interested in what could have been done differently and the impact of your experience on you and your child.
  • We think the survey should take about 20 minutes to fill out.
  • You do not have to take part in this survey, it is completely up to you.
  • There is a button to click at the start of the survey to show you have read the project information and are happy to take part.
  • The survey is anonymous (no-one will know it was you who typed in the answers), so once you have clicked 'done' at the end then you cannot take your answers back.
  • There is more information about the project and how we will use your information on the link below.
  • We will share what we find out with health professionals by publishing papers and we will write a short summary for families which we will share on social media. You will not be identified in any publication even if we use your words.
  • If you have any questions about the project, please contact Lucy on brayl@Edgehill.ac.uk
This survey is asking for your views and experiences of when your child (aged 0-18 years) was held (anything from a cuddle, holding a hand or arm, to being tightly held still or restrained) for a test, treatment or examination in a health care setting within the last year.

This can include anything like an X-ray, blood test, having an operation, looking in their ear, vaccination or giving them medicine. It could be in a community clinic, home or hospital. We are not including specialist mental health settings.

Link to full information sheet.
Please tick the box below to confirm you have;(Required.)
Tell us a little bit about you and your child
(this is just so we know a little bit about who has answered the survey)
What is your caregiver role?
How would you describe your ethnicity?
What gender does your child identify as?
What country do you live in?
Does your child have any long-term health conditions, disabilities, learning disabilities or neurodivergence (e.g. Autism, ADHD)?
We are going to ask you to tell us a bit about one or two times your child was held for a test, treatment or examination. This could be a test, treatment or examination which went okay or one which did not go well. You can type as much or as little as you like.
Please tell us about a test, treatment or examination your child had where they were held (either by yourself, another family member and/or by a member of staff).

Top tips, you might want to include information about:
  • How old was your child when they had this procedure?
  • What was the test/treatment/examination they were having done?
  • What happened? (who was there, was your child upset or calm, who held them and how)
  • What went well/not so well?
  • What could have been done differently?
  • What has been the impact of this experience on you and your child?
Now please tell us about another test, treatment or examination where they were held (either by yourself, another family member and/or by a member of staff)

(You can skip this if you do not have another example to tell us about)

Top tips - you might want to include information about:
  • How old was your child when they had this procedure?
  • What was the test/treatment/examination they were having done?
  • What happened? (who was there, was your child upset or calm, who held them and how)
  • What went well/not so well?
  • What could have been done differently?
  • What has been the impact of this experience on you and your child?
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the use of holding for children’s procedures?
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences in this survey.

If you have questions about the project, then please contact Lucy on brayl@edgehill.ac.uk

If taking part in the study has made you feel a bit worried or upset about anything, then please talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. You can also contact your GP who can help.

If you have concerns about your child’s care then you can contact your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), they offer confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. You can find out your local PALS on the following website:-

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/