News - 2008
Be Aware of Choking Hazards for Children this Christmas
Christmas is a time to relax with family and enjoy the festive celebrations. But The Children's Hospital at Westmead is reminding families that the holiday season is not without hazards - especially for young children. However, by taking a few simple precautions and being aware of potential hazards you can ensure that your family has a safe and happy holiday. Whether you have kids of your own or are entertaining friends and family, you need to be aware of choking hazards, especially with small children.
Alarming rise in trampoline and bike related accidents
Doctors are warning parents to be particularly vigilant this summer, as they have seen an alarming rise in accidents involving trampolines, bikes and scooters in the lead-up to Christmas. Neurosurgeons and nursing staff at The Children's Hospital at Westmead are concerned that parents are becoming far too relaxed when it comes to supervising their children during playtime.
Vega 95.3fm Christmas Appeal
Excitement and anticipation filled the air on the morning of Thursday, 11 December 2008, as Hospital staff and vega 95.3fm radio crew prepared for the start of the first, live radiothon campaign at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. vega set up a mini radio station in the Hospital foyer and conducted a live broadcast from 11 to 13 December.
Bandaged Bear Celebrates 20 Years
Bandaged Bear, the lovable mascot of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, will celebrate his 20th Birthday in March and is encouraging members of the community to donate or to buy a clip on bear for the Bandaged Bear Day Appeal. The Appeal will run throughout the month of March, with Bandaged Bear Day on 27 March 2009. Bandaged Bear has worn many coloured coats over the years and will this year sport a party themed coat, in honour of this momentous milestone.
Milestones in Adolescent Health Care
The Department of Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital at Westmead is celebrating over 30 years at the forefront of adolescent health and medical care. EVENT: 4pm-6.30pm TUESDAY 16th December 2008 The Function Room, The Children's Hospital at Westmead The Hospital was the first in Australia, in 1977, to establish an Adolescent Medical Unit. Over the years this has grown to become a comprehensive health service for adolescents and their families, with a catalogue of Australian firsts along the way.
Prevent holiday weight gain & keep kids healthy this Christmas
The Christmas and School Holiday period can be a high risk time for weight gain in children as less physical activity and the availability of large volumes of festive food can leave children and families vulnerable to eating too much and moving too little. But there are some simple ways to help keep your family happy and healthy these holidays. According to Weight Management Dietitian, Susie Burrell from The Children's Hospital at Westmead, the key to preventing holiday weight gain is to keep children as active as possible.
Discovery of a new gene responsible for a lethal form of inherited muscle disease
Neuromuscular disorders are major causes of ongoing disability in childhood, causing progressive and disabling weakness. Children may lose the ability to walk or breathing and swallowing muscles can be affected causing respiratory failure and early death. For many children there is currently no cure.
The Children's Hospital at Westmead Celebrates Successes
The Children's Hospital at Westmead is celebrating a series of recent successes after meeting all NSW Health targets, winning four NSW Health Awards and undergoing a successful performance review.
The Children's Hospital at Westmead Unveils First in Australia Paediatric Life Saving Technology
On 10:30 am on October 8, The Children's Hospital at Westmead launched a state of the art multimillion dollar paediatric interventional radiology operating suite. With a new biplane flat panel angiography machine and integrated ultrasound, this suite is the most advanced of its kind in the world, offering a new dimension in minimally invasive procedures in children: 3D imaging. This has been made possible through a generous donation of $2.6 million dollars by Sargent's Pies Charitable Foundation.
Young Children at Risk of Poor Nutrition
The first survey to look at the activity and food habits of children - jointly funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council - has been released. Paediatric Dietitian, Susie Burrell from The Children's Hospital at Westmead believes the survey indicates that young children and teens are at risk of poor nutrition and low intakes of fibre, calcium and vitamins.
Teddy Bears' Picnic - Fabulous Family Fun at an Affordable Price
It's picnic time for Teddy Bears again! The most fun-filled family day of the year is on Sunday 19th October from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm at Rosehill Gardens. It's The Children's Hospital at Westmead's annual Teddy Bears' Picnic, and this year's gathering is set to be the best one yet. Now in its 28th year, the Teddy Bears' Picnic just keeps getting bigger and better, and most importantly, continues to raise vital funds for The Children's Hospital at Westmead - helping to create a brighter future for sick kids and their families.
Bandaged Bear Cup
The annual Bandaged Bear Cup will be played at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 23 August between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs. This year will be a double header with 2 games being played, the first at 5.30 between Manly Sea Eagles and West Tigers followed at @ 7.30 by the Bandaged Bear Cup.
City to Surf
The Think Kids Challenge is a Fundraising activity where supporters of the Children's Hospital at Westmead can join together to help raise funds to support the hospital whilst taking part in the Sun Herald City to Surf. The race will take place on Sunday the 10th of August 2008.
Trauma to be Avoided.
Professor Danny Cass, Head of Academic Surgery and Director of Trauma at The Children's Hospital at Westmead has issued a warning to parents and carers of young children to be aware of children playing in areas with windows. Recently there has been a significant increase in the incidences of children falling out of windows.
NAIDOC Week
On the first of July, 2008, the Children's Hospital at Westmead highlighted their commitment to Aboriginal Health in the ceremonial opening of NAIDOC Week, the annual celebration of Aboriginal culture.
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