Introduction

The Cleft Palate Clinic at the Children's Hospital at Westmead is a multidisciplinary, integrated service for the assessment and surgical management of children with cleft lip and/or palate defects or velopharyngeal incompetence.

Goals and Objectives

We ultimately aim for a well-adjusted individual using a holistic approach to management, which includes the following goals:

• As normal a facial appearance as possible.
• The prevention and treatment of speech difficulties.
• The prevention of hearing difficulties through the management of ear disease.
• The education and provision of information on the nature, causal factors and problems associated with cleft conditions.
• The provision of genetic counselling.
• The development of normal feeding patterns.
• The provision of high quality diagnostic and therapeutic services to inpatients and outpatients referred to the Cleft Palate Clinic at the Children's Hospital.
• The provision of a consultative service to other hospital departments and external professionals and agencies.
• The achievement and maintenance of standards through quality management systems and continuing education.
• The development of and participation in research projects in areas of clinical expertise.
• The provision of clinical training facilities and education.
• The provision of Health Promotion especially in regard to early intervention and the needs of clients and the role of team members in the Cleft Palate Clinic.
• Treatment care plan designed through a Partnership in Care approach, where the care is holistic and family focused as undertaken at the Children's Hospital.

What we do

We achieve our goals and objectives by adopting a collaborative, coordinated and holistic approach to the Provision of Services for children with cleft lip and/or palate by:

• Assessment and surgical management of children with cleft lip and/or palate and velopharyngeal incompetence.
• Provide long term assessment, follow up and support to children and their families through the Outpatient section of the Cleft Palate Clinic.
• Undertake prenatal consultations (on referral) where a diagnosis of a cleft is made on ultrasound.
• Provide Newborn Maternity Visits within the Sydney Metropolitan Area, or phone contact after referral notification is made.
• Follow protocols of care based on international standards and best practice outcomes.
• Provide facilitated pre/peri/postoperative management of all cleft patients, caregivers and families; in order to provide comprehensive continuity of care.
• Provide a comprehensive education program for ward based nursing care, and externally to health professionals from the discipline of nursing and beyond.
• Case Management and consultancy to cleft patients within the Children's Hospital and to outside agencies.
• Provide a multidisciplinary cleft palate service, contributed to by experienced and dedicated health professionals.
• Aim for Evidence Based Practice and ongoing research to be undertaken to provide up to date and well developed care and services.
• Provide written material on the care of the Cleft Palate Infant and post surgery guidelines, including publication of "Cleft Lip and Palate: A Parent's Guide".
• Ongoing relationship with Public Relations and Fundraising to raise the profile of the Cleft Palate Clinic and the condition of clefts to the wider community.

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