Children’s health Archives | Page 10 of 12

21 September 2022

The COVID-19 lockdowns have resulted in a cohort of children whose development is delayed. Young children have had limited access to social interactions and early learning environments during the critical period of their brain development, which has both created and compounded existing developmental delays. Due to this, the need for early intervention is the highest that it’s ever been.

The importance of early intervention: Early intervention is linked with positive outcomes for children. It can positively impact all aspects of development including social, physical, communication, cognitive and psychological development.

Referrals: Early referral to intervention services is crucial in maximising outcomes. It is more important than ever to refer early as the COVID-19 lockdown has increased waiting times in both public and private services. Please consider referring to both public and private services (using Medicare rebate options) so families are offered supports in the timeliest manner.

Early intervention – where and how to refer

09 September 2022

Register your child or register your patient for Go4Fun’s Term 4 program.

What is Go4Fun?

Go4Fun is a free program for children aged seven to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Trained health and community professionals like dietitians and exercise physiologists run the program which is a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.

Go4Fun takes place during school terms, usually after school. Sessions run once a week for two hours, during a 10-week period. A parent or carer must come to every session.

Find out more about what’s involved

Aboriginal Go4Fun

Aboriginal Go4Fun was developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities and is delivered by local Aboriginal organisations together with NSW Health. The program encourages the whole community to join in.

Aboriginal Go4Fun includes:

Aboriginal support staff
Traditional Indigenous games
Tailored resources

Find out more about Aboriginal Go4Fun

Go4Fun online

Go4Fun Online is perfect for families that can’t make it to our face-to-face program, but still want to make health changes to their lifestyle.

Go4Fun Online runs over 10 weeks and includes:

Weekly online activity sessions
Weekly phone coaching with a health professional
Resources and prizes
Our online community where you can chat to other families in the program
Email and text message support

Find out more about Go4Fun online

Find a session

General – Term 4 program starts 10 October in locations including Camden, Campbelltown, Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool

Aboriginal Go4Fun – Campbelltown, Liverpool, Revesby

29 July 2022

The Paediatric Ambulatory Care Service (PACS) at Fairfield Hospital provides specialist medical and nursing services to children who reside in the Fairfield Local Government Area.

The service is available seven days a week for patients requiring nursing care in the home.

PACS outpatient and medical review services are available Monday to Friday.

PACS hours:

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm

Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am to 4pm (nursing services only)

PACS goals

Hospital avoidance where clinically appropriate
Improve networking between health facilities, GPs and the community
Promote a continuum of care for clients from hospital admission to the home and back again if required
Provide a service to appropriate acute care patients outside of the hospital environment

PACS services (not exhaustive)

Administration of intravenous antibiotics daily or BD only
Administration of injections
Cannulation
Management of central venous access devices
Blood transfusions and blood product support
Replacement of nasogastric and gastrostomy tubes
Intravenous drug infusion (eg Methylprednisone, iron)
Medical/nursing reviews of clients’ progress and liaison with GPs and/or VMO paediatrician
Speciality clinics including burns, eczema, enteral feeding, infant/neonatal review
Clinical education at home, schools, preschools. (eg asthma, epilepsy, enteral feeding)
Wound management
Contact PACS to discuss any other conditions requiring acute care services in the community/outpatient setting

Contact

9616 8398

28 July 2022

All inpatient maternity services are now located in Campbelltown Hospital’s Clinical Building (Building A).

Information about accessing the services can be found below.

Birthing Unit A41

Please call prior to arrival on 4634 4099

Between 6am–9pm enter via the main entrance of the building (Level 2), enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 4.

The entry to the Birthing unit is near the lifts, use the intercom button 2 to speak with staff for entry.

From 9pm–6am enter via Emergency Department entrance, and you will be escorted to Birthing Unit.

There is limited parking in P1 (outside emergency), otherwise parking P2 or P3 for access to the clinical building.

Antenatal Ward A42

Enter the main entrance of the building (Level 2), enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 4.

The entry to the Antenatal ward is near the lifts, use the intercom button 1 to speak with staff for entry.

Visiting Hours: 8am–8pm

Postnatal Ward A52

Enter the main entrance of the building (Level 2), enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 5.

The entry to the Postnatal Ward is near the lifts, use the intercom button 1 to speak with staff for entry.

Visiting Hours: 8am–8pm

Special Care Nursery A51

Enter the main entrance of the building (Level 2) enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 5.

The entry to the Special Care Nursery is near the lifts, use the intercom button 2 to speak with staff for entry.

Perioperative Unit

For planned Caesarean admissions.

Enter via the main entrance. Walk straight ahead towards the stairs, enter the lifts to the left of the stairs and go down to Ground level. Exit the lift and turn right.

If you are bringing frozen breastmilk, please go to Postnatal first to store it in the freezer.

Download the flyer

22 July 2022

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of Otitis Media and associated hearing loss in the world. Stronger Seeds Taller Trees logo

Left untreated, these conditions are directly linked to serious and long-term deficits. These include poor medical health, delayed communication and social skill development, challenging behaviour, and learning difficulties.

Regular ear checks, hearing assessments and onward referrals to ENTs are crucial in supporting positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with Otitis Media.

Information for families about Otitis Media:

Deadly Ears Program

Middle ear disease

Children’s Health Queensland

Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to connect with health and community services is another important part of supporting their children’s health and wellbeing.

Aboriginal Health Services:

South Western Sydney Local Health District Aboriginal Health Service Directory

AH-ServiceDirectory.pdf (nsw.gov.au)

Macarthur Family & Youth Services

NABU – Macarthur Family & Youth Services (mfys.org.au)

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation – Airds

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation | (tacams.com.au)

Gandangara Aboriginal Health Services – Liverpool

Health Services | Gandangara

KARI Aboriginal Community Programs – Liverpool

Community Programs | KARI

21 June 2022

Fussy eating can lead to stressful and prolonged mealtimes, delayed oro-motor skills, and poor health outcomes including nutrient deficiencies (eg iron), slow growth and constipation.

Early intervention is required when fussy eating is caused by sensory sensitivities with food textures, or when it leads to highly restricted diets (less than 15 to 20 different foods) or

Stronger Seeds Taller Trees logo final_210705

challenging behaviours at mealtimes.

Mealtime Strategies

1) Set up routines – serve food at the same time and in the same place each day.

2) Create an engaging mealtime environment – remove distractions (eg screens, toys) and share meals together as a family to model positive mealtime behaviours like trying new foods.

3) Encourage food exploration and play – participate together in food preparation and play games with food like sorting by colour or texture, or building houses.

Start Them Right: A parent’s guide to eating for under 5s

Is your child a fussy eater? Parent handout

31 May 2022

Registrations are now open for Go4Fun’s Term 3 program.

What is Go4Fun?

Go4Fun takes place during school terms, usually after school. Sessions run once a week for two hours, during a 10-week period. A parent or carer must come to every session.

Find out more about what’s involved

Aboriginal Go4Fun

Aboriginal Go4Fun includes:

Aboriginal support staff
Traditional Indigenous games
Tailored resources

Find out more about Aboriginal Go4Fun

Go4Fun online

Go4Fun Online is perfect for families that can’t make it to our face-to-face program, but still want to make health changes to their lifestyle.

Go4Fun Online runs over 10 weeks and includes:

Weekly online activity sessions
Weekly phone coaching with a health professional
Resources and prizes
Our online community where you can chat to other families in the program
Email and text message support

Find out more about Go4Fun online

Find a session

The program is held at the following locations:

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds (Aboriginal Go4Fun) – Tuesdays, 4pm to 6pm
KARI – Liverpool PCYC (Aboriginal Go4Fun) – Mondays, 4pm to 6pm
South West
Liverpool PCYC – Saturdays, 1pm to 3pm
Prairiewood Youth and Community Centre – Tuesdays, 4pm to 6pm
Yagoona Community Centre – Thursdays, 4pm to 6pm
Macarthur
Eagle Vale Leisure Centre – Monday, 4.30pm to 6.30pm (pool)
Mount Annan YMCA – Saturday, 1pm to 3pm (pool)
Minto PCYC – Wednesday, 4.30pm to 6.30pm

11 May 2022

Some children have difficulty processing and responding to information from their senses. This includes sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, proprioception (body awareness) and vestibular (movement) input.

Signs of sensitivities:

Seeking sensations (touching, smelling or licking textures, closely watching moving objects, difficulty sitting still)
Reacting to sensations (becoming upset when touched, easily distracted by noise/light, picky with food textures and smells)
Under responding to sensations (appearing to ‘tune out’, low response to sound/touch, poor pain perception)

Sensory seeking versus sensory sensitive

When to refer:

Refer to an Occupational Therapist when a child’s sensory sensitivities interfere with everyday routines or engagement in learning. Early referral is key to improving functional, social and academic outcomes.

Where and how to refer

Further information about sensory sensitivities

Making sense of your child’s senses – handout

21 April 2022

Transition to school has an impact on a child’s educational trajectory. A successful transition to school requires more than academic skills. It requires social, emotional, communication and motor skills. GPs have a role in partnering with schools and supporting families to:

Find early learning opportunities like playgroup and preschool (Starting Blocks)
Access supports if there are concerns about their child’s development (Where and how to refer)
Delay school start if a child is not ready (children in NSW should start school by the year they turn six)
Enrol and attend Kindergarten orientation (NSW Department of Education Parents and Carers Hub)
Communicate with their school if additional supports are required (Enrolling and starting primary school: children with disability)
Ensure their child is ready (Starting School: preparing children)

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Further links:

Children with disability have the right to go to school alongside their peers: Reimagine Australia Ready, Set, School!
Starting School (NSW Department of Education)
PlaygroupsNSW
Find your local school
Transition to School Resource
Crunch and Sip
Conversations for Collaboration
Transition to School Parent Handout

10 March 2022

Gross motor skills are foundational skills required for play, self-care and academic tasks. Gross motor difficulties may result in uncoordinated movements, clumsiness, and poor balance, strength or posture.

When to refer

Refer to a physiotherapist when a child is not achieving age-appropriate motor milestones or has difficulty with physical activities. Early referral is key in reducing risks of poor functional, social and academic outcomes. Where and how to refer

Encourage parents to:

Avoid baby walkers
Reduce screen time
Prioritise floor tummy time for infants
Promote outdoor play for all ages

Resources by age