| Executive
Officer's Report |
Welcome to our August edition of Child and Adolescent Health
Care E-news. We've had a busy time since our last publication
in December (we've had a wedding and two babies!!) and I
am very excited to update you on the developments of our
recent projects. Read the AWCH
Annual Report for a detailed account of our activities
and projects.
Children
and adults sharing hospital wards
AWCH
has recently become aware that Sutherland Hospital (Sydney,
NSW) has been caring for adults and children on the same
hospital ward.
AWCH
believes strongly that the needs of children in hospital
are provided for most effectively when children are cared
for in children's wards, without adult patients being present,
and by specially trained staff. For these reasons, AWCH
recommends that children be hospitalised in paediatric wards,
separate from adult patients, and cared for by appropriately
qualified staff. AWCH takes the view that children should
not be accommodated with adults.
If you
would like to support AWCH in raising concerns about this
issue, you can comment on The St George and Sutherland Leader's
website at http://stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/business/bed-shortage-fears-children-adults-to-share-a-ward/802582.aspx
Lismore
Base Hospital reduces play program hours
Recently
AWCH has become aware that Lismore Base Hospital has reduced
play program hours. www.northernstar.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3779821
AWCH
is very concerned that the reduction in the provision of
play services for children at Lismore Base Hospital has
been undertaken without due consideration to the potential
adverse outcomes for children, young people and their families.
AWCH
has written and urged the hospital to consider seriously
the detrimental effects and consequences that the reduction
in play hours provided will have on the healthcare that
Lismore Base Hospital provides to children and young people.
AWCH
has also written a letter of concern to the Editor of the
Northern Star newspaper. The letter was published in the
newspaper's Your
Say section on 13 August 2008.
AWCH
Library
The
AWCH Librarian position has been funded generously by the
Children's Hospital at Westmead for 18 months. This funding
ceased on 30 June and AWCH has committed funds in the 08-09
budget to fund this position until 31 December 2008.
During this time Jillian Rattray (AWCH librarian) has been
keeping the online collection updated as well as assisting
with enquiries. The collection can be accessed at:
If you
know of an organisation who might be interested in funding
the AWCH Library and the librarian's position, please do
not hesitate to contact AWCH to discuss what this involves.
Update
on AWCH members and supporters
Congratulations
to Kellie and Michael on the birth of their baby son, Curtis.
Curtis looks like his sister, Sophie who is eager to spoil
her baby brother.
We'd
also like to congratulate Sarah and John on the birth of
baby George Llewellyn. He will be a great playmate for Thomas
who seems very pleased to have a baby brother to care for.
Best
wishes to Gail and David who married in December 2007. We
wish them both lots of happiness.
AWCH
wishes June all the best in her new home and that Ted recovers
well from his recent illness.
Congratulations
to Rowena on her appointment as Communications Officer for
AWCH.
Thank
you to AWCH members and supporters
Thank you to Michelle, Peggy and Rowena for all
their help with the Emergency Department Waiting Room Project;
to Jenny and Peggy for 240 hours of volunteering at national
office and last but not least, Tony for his generosity in
assisting us with our printing projects.
A special
thank you to all the board members for their continued support
of the Association and in particular to Professor David
Bennett for his outstanding leadership.
Many
thanks to all the members and supporters who have contributed
to enquiries to AWCH by making comment, feedback and providing
valuable information over the last year. It really does
make a difference!
AWCH
Membership
Now
we are into a new financial year, I would like to remind
everyone that AWCH Membership is now due. Please visit our
website membership
page for more details or you can print a copy of the
membership form here.
Remember you get reduced rates at this year's conference
- more details at www.kidsconference.org.au
- and don't forget to tell us if you introduce another person
to membership during 2008-09.
Thank
you for your support during the past year and I encourage
you to continue your involvement with AWCH. Together, as
a group of parents, young people, community members and
professionals, we can be strong advocates for child and
adolescent health and increase awareness of the changes
needed in the health system.
Anne
Cutler
Executive Officer
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