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The GV Health Child and Adolescent Unit is a dedicated paediatric ward, providing a regional referral service for the Goulburn Valley (and beyond). It is roomy and family-focused, with onsite parent/carer accommodation, indoor and outdoor play areas and an array of audiovisual entertainment choices. There are 24 physical bed spaces, although we staff according to usual seasonal fluctuations (winter peaks and summer troughs).
The unit averages approximately 1600 admissions annually, catering for children from birth to 17 years across most paediatric medical and surgical specialties (including oncology, orthopaedics, cardiology and EENT). Paediatric Home & Community Nursing (encompassing HITH/PAC), Paediatric Diabetic & Asthma/Eczema Education programmes and Paediatric Outpatient services are also run from the ward. A Language and Development clinic (with gym), Paediatric Allied Health Services and the regional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), are located in the same building.
The unit is serviced by 4 paediatricians, 2 paediatric registrars (1 ward based, 1 ED based), 2 paediatric residents and visiting paediatric medical and surgical specialists from the Royal Children’s Hospital ( Melbourne ). There is the equivalent of 22 EFT staff, which includes a Clinical Educator, an ED/Ward Liaison Nurse and a dedicated onsite play therapist who provides educational and diversional therapies for the children. The ward offers the ’Buddy Bear’ and other community education programmes, which enlighten children on the hospital environment by conducting pre-emptive information and familiarisation sessions and ward/hospital tours.
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