Inpatient Paediatric Services at Liverpool Hospital are currently designated Level 4
for both general medicine and surgery. There are approximately 2700 admissions per annum
to the Children's Ward - approximately 60% medical and 40% surgical.
The 25 bed Paediatric Ward is located on the ground floor level of the Caroline Chisholm Centre. Paediatrics provide
consultancy services to the Postnatal Ward (approximately 3000 baby checks per annum),
Level 2 nursery, Emergency Department and Department of Community Services. consultancy
services are received by paediatrics from Area Clinical Genetics and the Departments of
Psychiatry, Dermatology and Microbiology. The New Children's Hospital provide a Diabetic
Outreach outpatient clinic second monthly and the Sydney Children's Hospital provide a
nephrology outpatient clinic as well as a cardiology outpatient clinic.
Allied Health support includes input from Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work and Dietetics.
Since August 1994, an early discharge policy utilising the Homecare Program has been in place. the program has not
contributed to any significant decrease in the length of stay but has resulted in more
efficient follow-up of the community nurses. In the 1998/99 financial year, the program
was introduced to the Emergency Department. It is proposed to extend the program to
involve the more long-stay cases such as children with orthopaedic conditions.
The Paediatric Department has been a teaching unit for the undergraduates of the University of New South Wales and for basic
and advanced training of junior staff seconded from the Prince of Wales Hospital for over
twenty years.
Liverpool Hospital has a funded Department of Education and Training School based in
the Paediatric Unit. The School was established in 1973 and provides a service for over
800 students a year, ensuring continuity of education for short term, long term and
recurrent admission patients. Participation in school is an important part of children's
recovery. It also means minimal disruption to their educational progress and a smooth
transition back to their home school. For long term and recurrent students, individual
learning programs are developed in consultation with home schools, students and parents.
Students from K - 12 are catered for. Staff at the school include trained teachers and
ancillary staff experienced in working with hospitalised students and families who are
often in a state of crisis or stress. There are two full time and two permanent part time
staff as well as a School Council.
