Child and Adolescent Health Service

Nathan Tasker, a brave 4-year-old living with cerebral palsy, has faced numerous challenges, including countless trips to the doctor. However, since joining the RESP-ACT program at Perth Children’s Hospital, his life has taken a positive turn. Nathan's father, Luc, shares that the program has helped manage Nathan’s respiratory health and has also empowered their family. By implementing tailored treatment, that includes meal-time management and an individualised respiratory action plan, Nathan’s health has improved, meaning he has been able to visit the doctor less frequently, allowing the family to focus on enjoying life together. “It has been very good for us … not only did it keep his respiratory conditions well in control, it also educated my wife and I on treatment,” Luc said. Dr Noula Gibson, the program's principal investigator, emphasises the effectiveness of RESP-ACT. A 12-month trial of the program almost eliminated respiratory hospital admissions for children in the treatment group. It's heartening to know that more children across WA will soon benefit from this innovative program, thanks to funding support from the WA Child Research Fund, an initiative of the Department of Health (WA Health) and Telethon7.

The Child and Adolescent Health Service is thrilled to announce an opportunity for the role of Medical Co-Director (Medical Division) at Perth Children’s Hospital and Neonatology. Join our dedicated team and help shape the future of healthcare in our community. For more information click the link below, or contact Tony Dolan, Executive Director Perth Children’s Hospital and Neonatology. Applications close: 5 November 2024 at 4pm AWST. https://lnkd.in/g_kj7MGS

WA Mental Health Week is all about celebrating social connection, raising awareness of mental health, and reducing the stigma around seeking help. Last week, we were honoured to have Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson and Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Chief Executive Valerie Jovanovic visit the Mental Health Week display at Perth Children’s Hospital. They spent time connecting with members of our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Lived Experience Advisory Group, who hosted the event in collaboration with our friends at Youth Focus, Headspace, Autism Association of Western Australia and ADHD WA. We know that some children and young people who access mental health services are neurodivergent. CAMHS works collaboratively with other CAHS services and partner organisations to ensure children and young people feel holistically supported, and it was wonderful to see this community come together.

Two of our incredible Allied Health team members were recognised at the inaugural WA Excellence in Allied Health Awards last week. The awards highlight the vital role of allied health professionals, who help to improve overall wellbeing, development, and long-term health outcomes. Parvan Gill, Nutritional Feeds Officer, took out the Allied Health Assistant award. Parvan was recognised for her commitment to providing infants, children and young people with nutritious meals and education on all things healthy food, expertly bridging the gap between patients, dietitians, and nutrition services to ensure her patients to thrive. Dr Pamela Laird was honoured with the Allied Health Researcher award. Her groundbreaking research focuses on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal children, particularly those living in remote areas. Her research into reducing the burden of respiratory diseases has led to new hospital processes which ensure vital follow-ups for young patients with chest infections. We congratulate Parvan and Pamela, and all Child and Adolescent Health Service Allied Health staff for your outstanding contributions.

We are proud to announce that Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg, Consultant Anaesthetist at Perth Children’s Hospital and Chair of Paediatric Anaesthesia at The University of Western Australia, has received the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year at the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2024. This prestigious award recognises her vital research in making surgery safer for children, impacting the lives of countless families. With over 250,000 children undergoing anaesthesia in Australia each year, her work has changed practices worldwide and been incorporated into international guidelines. “I truly feel this prize is not just for me – it's for my whole clinical and non-clinical team and all the work they do to care for our patients,” Professor Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg said.   “The reason we can translate our work so easily into clinical practice is because we work together as a group, including with our patients and their families. Our research is not just about children and for children but is co-designed with and by children and families.” Professor Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg’s dedication to her team and collaborative approach exemplify the spirit of innovation in paediatric healthcare. We are honoured to have her at Perth Children’s Hospital. Please join us in celebrating this milestone achievement. For more details on this year's winners, visit the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science website. Department of Industry, Science and Resources The Kids Research Institute Australia #PMPrizes https://lnkd.in/g2G34vjv

We are proud to announce that our very own Anna Thetford has been awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship. Anna, a dedicated Clinical Nurse Consultant with over 25 years of experience, will be exploring innovative family support programs for rare diseases. Anna will be visiting top centres of excellence across Europe to learn how they support families facing rare and complex conditions. Her goal is to enhance our support systems and make a real difference in the lives of those affected by rare diseases. Join us in celebrating Anna’s incredible achievement and her commitment to improving the lives of children and families in WA. 

More than 230 child health and mental health professionals from across WA came together this week for the 2024 Infant Mental Health Forum, hosted by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Throughout the one-day event, eminent clinicians and academics from across Australia presented on topics related to infant mental health prevention, risk factors and best practice interventions. A recurring theme across the presentations was the critical importance of the early years (ages 0-4), including nurturing relationships, to future mental health. With representatives from more than 12 agencies across WA in attendance, the forum was also an opportunity for child health and mental health professionals to strengthen inter-agency connections and drive future collaboration.

For World Sepsis Day, in collaboration with the Department of Health (WA Health), we brought together experts in the field from across WA to raise awareness on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this critical medical condition. With sepsis being the leading cause of harm in children worldwide it’s important we share our knowledge to ensure we all know the signs of sepsis. Do you know the signs? ·        convulsions or fits ·        rapid breathing ·        discoloured skin, very pale or bluish ·        a rash that doesn’t fade when you press it ·        fever OR very low temperature ·        not passing urine (or no wet nappy) for several hours ·        vomiting repeatedly ·        not feeding If a child in your care seems sicker than normal, trust your gut, seek medical attention and ask the question ‘could it be sepsis?’   To learn more about sepsis visit: https://lnkd.in/gZGHUFBq

At the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), we are dedicated to fostering a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the Western Australian community and is responsive to the diverse needs of consumers, families, carers and visitors. This commitment to equity and inclusion is not just a responsibility but a vital opportunity to demonstrate our respect and support for both our colleagues and the broader community. Recently, we proudly observed Wear It Purple Day across our organisation. Celebrating this important day is an expression of our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for everyone. Staff enthusiastically participated, wearing purple attire and engaging in meaningful conversations about respect, acceptance, and support for the LGBTIQA+SB community. It was a good reminder of our collective effort to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

We have an exciting opportunity available for a dedicated and experienced General Practitioner to join our team as a Hospital Liaison GP. In this role, you'll help bridge the gap between Perth Children’s Hospital and community GPs, working closely with the WA Primary Health Alliance and local primary care services. Your expertise will contribute to improving systems and enhancing the coordination of patient care across sectors. If you're passionate about making a real difference in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, we’d love to hear from you! This is a permanent 0.2 FTE sessional appointment. For any confidential queries please reach out to Executive Director - Medical Services - Dr Simon Wood on +61 8 6456 4982. Applications Close: 16 September 4pm (AWST) Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gxXjWzjH