AWCH - making a difference for kids
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.....WHAT'S NEW.....

! MEDIA RELEASE !

The launch of the

National Standards for the Care of Children and Adolescents in Health Services
will take place during the
HEALTH CARE FOR KIDS
National Conference
Manly Pacific Hotel Sydney
4:30 PM - NOVEMBER 18 2008
ABC Radio National
'Life Matters'
will discuss the Standards with Professor David Bennett on Tuesday 18 November 2008
at 9:00 am

 

AWCH first president,
Her Excellency
Ms Quentin Bryce, AC
mentions AWCH in an exclusive interview with
Kerry O’Brien on the
7:30 Report

Watch the interview
or view the transcript at:

 www.abc.net.au/7.30/
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awch history

  

The Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare, AWCH (formerly the Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital) was 'born' on the 15th February 1973 as a voluntary organisation consisting of both professional and non-professional people from all parts of Australia, interested in formulating and satisfying the non-medical needs of children and their families in hospital and health care.

A Recommended Health Care Policy Relating to Children and Their Families setting out principles and practical guidelines was prepared by the Association and published in the Medical Journal of Australia as a special supplement on 9th August 1975. It was declared the official policy of the Health Commission of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The Association was funded federally by the Australian Department of Health under its Community Health Programme from 1975 to 1986. Since 1989 the NSW Department of Health, through the Non-Government Organisation funding has fully funded the National operation. As an organisation we are very grateful for the support from both the University of Western Sydney and the NSW Government.

Over the years AWCH has been the advocacy voice for children and their families in the health care system. Being outside the system, we are able to bring consumer pressure to elicit changes. AWCH has been instrumental in the introduction of:

  • 24 hour visiting by parents in hospitals

  • provision of parent accommodation and facilities

  • child friendly environments in health care settings

  • recognition in the importance of appropriately trained staff

  • recognition of the importance of supporting the family

  • recognition of the importance of play and education in a child's recovery

We have held seminars and conferences on a number of topics, such as the importance of play in a child's recovery, the emotional needs of infants and young children and the health care needs of marginalised children and young people. In 1979 the International Year of the Child, the Association organised "Children in Hospital Week" - the Australian Government was the first in the world to announce and support "Children in Hospital Week". Other seminars and conferences have drawn attention to the special needs of children with disabilities in hospital, isolated families, Indigenous and Non-English Speaking child health issues, and unnecessary surgical procedures. AWCH was instrumental, along with the Doctors' Reform Society, in the reduction of routine tonsillectomies performed in this country.

AWCH has a number of sister organisations: Due to changes in society and the health system, AWCH needed to broaden its focus in the 1990's to the wider health issues for children and their families. In keeping with this focus, the Association in 1993 - its 20th year changed its name from 'the Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital' to 'the Association for the Welfare of Child Health.
Contributions that AWCH has made to the Australian Health System have included:

  • Paediatric Support Link Service

  • National Conferences

  • Guidelines for Implementing the AWCH Hospital Ward Grand Parent Scheme

  • Video on parental presence during induction of anaesthesia

  • Submission into the 1996 NSW Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Issues enquiry into children's advocacy

  • AWCH/ACHS accreditation Guidelines for Hospital Based Child and Adolescent Care

  • AWCH/UWS Bachelor of Health Sciences in Play Specialty course

  • Newsletter - Child and Adolescent Health Care

  • Submission into 2002 National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention

 

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AWCH

New Name

New Logo

 

For more information visit our conference website at
www.kidsconference.org.au
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AWCH National Office • Bldg 7, Gladesville Hospital ~ Cnr Victoria & Punt Roads ~ GLADESVILLE NSW 2111
Tel (02) 9817 2439 or 1800 244 396 (parent line) • Fax (02) 9879 4346 • E-mail: awch@awch.com.au ~ ABN 33 119 036 261

AWCH is funded by the NSW Department of Health & supported by Westmead Children's Hospital Library • © AWCH 2003• disclaimer