News - 2010
100 Young Lives Changed Forever
CELEBRATING 100th KIDNEY TRANSPLANT AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT WESTMEAD When staff and former patients gather today to commemorate the 100th kidney transplant performed at The Children's Hospital at Westmead it will be a celebration of life, of young lives saved and countless families' futures changed forever. The Children's Hospital at Westmead celebrates its 100th kidney transplant on the eve of World Kidney Day, which falls on 11 March 2010. As a major Australian centre for paediatric kidney transplantation, the Hospital works closely with Westmead Hospital and the National Transplant Team, Paediatric Liver Transplantation Unit, and the Red Cross.
Thanks to our Volunteers
This Friday 19th February, 2010 at 10.30am The Children's Hospital at Westmead will be hosting a special morning tea to honour its volunteers in recognition of NSW Health Volunteers Appreciation Day. Gilly Paxton, Director of Community Relations & Marketing said "The Hospital's volunteers make a valuable contribution not only to patients and their families, but also to staff members. Our volunteers work tirelessly and contribute greatly to the work of the Hospital."
Improving End of Life Care for Children
The Annual Paediatric Palliative Care Symposium will be held on 4th March featuring guest speakers from the USA, UK and New Zealand. Participants will attend from many countries. David Browning, from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, will speak on difficult conversations in healthcare. "Traditionally doctors have not been trained in difficult discussions with families." said Dr John Collins, Head of Department, Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. "This is even more so in regards to the end of life care for a child." In the days following the symposium, Mr Browning will be a running a series of workshops for staff at The Children's Hospital at Westmead on communicating with children and their families at the time of end-of-life decision making.
Patients and Families Rate the Care They Receive in Hospital
A state-wide survey found that 91.6%. of patients, parents or carers of patients at The Children's Hospital at Westmead rated the overall care they received as good, very good or excellent, an improvement on the 2008 figure of 88.6%. Key Findings for The Children's Hospital at Westmead are: - The Children's Hospital at Westmead has achieved 94.4%, the .highest performance on overall care rating in peer group within the patient category: Outpatients - Paediatric Specialist.
- Overall care for inpatients was rated at 93.2%, a slight improvement over the 2008 figure of .92.8%
- Performance in terms of the overall care rating for emergency patients that were not admitted was 81.5%, up on the previous year's result of 80.0%.
Visitor Parking Changes
From 29th March, there will be a moderate increase to the cost of visitor parking at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. There will be assistance for those who need it, varying from concessions to a total waiver. For long term patients parking costs will be just $2 per visit or $20 per month. The Children's Hospital at Westmead recognises that the provision of parking is crucial for families who are required to bring their children here for treatment. The cost of parking for parents and carers of children with long term illness and/or disability can become a burden and for some families these fees will be difficult to pay. The Children's Hospital at Westmead will treat these families with compassion and will provide an equitable parking service. A working group comprising staff representatives from across the Hospital and members of The Children's Hospital at Westmead Family Advisory Committee have been responsible for developing the new policy and pricing schedule. Other families and staff have also had the opportunity to comment and make input.
Researcher awarded the AM for services to human genetics
Professor John Christodoulou has been appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services as a researcher and clinician to human genetics, particularly the metabolic disorders of children.
Bandaged Bear turns 21!
Bandaged Bear, the lovable mascot of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, will celebrate his 21st Birthday in March and to commemorate this milestone, and as 21st tradition dictates, we will be marking the occasion with a theme - "when I grow up".
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