services for kids |
AWCH provides the following services for children and parents:
- Paediatric Support Link (PSL) Service
- AWCH Hospital Ward Grandparent Scheme
- Community Hospital Familiarisation Program
Paediatric Support Link (PSL) Service
A paediatric support group is:
- for families with children who have a disability, syndrome, or chronic condition
- comprised of families who share common
issues, experiences and problems
- made up of people who may offer each other emotional and practical support
What does the PSL Service do?
- reduces isolation
- offers encouragement and support
Who uses PSL?
- parents, doctors, social workers, nurses, psychologists, students, volunteers, educators, community workers . . .
Contact AWCH National Office if you would like to:
- find out of there is a group for your particular need
- refer a family to a support group
- obtain information, support and resources to start a group
- place your group on the AWCH PSL database
AWCH Hospital Ward Grandparent Scheme
It is not always possible for families
to support their child in hospital because of restrictions imposed by
distance, family, work, or parental health needs. The AWCH Hospital Ward
Grandparent Scheme provides ‘surrogate’ care for children in
hospital.
A Ward Grandparent Volunteer:
- is assigned to an individual child for the duration of the child’s stay in hospital
- visits the hospitalised child on a regular basis
- performs such activities as nursing, feeding, changing nappies, bathing, playing, talking, singing, going for walks with the child
- does not perform any medical tasks
Ward Grandparents are a valuable resource for parents, children, and hospital staff.
Check with your hospital in order to find
out if they have such a scheme in place.
Contact AWCH National Office for information about how to become a ward grandparent or set up a scheme.
Community Hospital Familiarisation Program
Many children are unprepared for the hospital
experience. The unfamiliar surroundings of the hospital, the strange faces,
complicated equipment, and sometimes painful medical procedures, can be
distressing for children. This distress can be reduced if children are
prepared for hospital.
The Hospital Familiarisation Program (HFP) is designed to prepare pre-school children for hospital. Trained HFP presenters spend time with children during their normal pre-school day, and may do any or all of the following;
- discuss hospitalisation
- explain and demonstrate hospital equipment
- provide children with the opportunity to dress up as doctors and nurses
- support children as they act out the hospital experience
- read an appropriate story
- show an appropriate video
At present, the HFP Program operates in Western Australia only. If you would like to arrange for an HFP presenter to attend your pre-school, contact:
HFP Co-ordinator
AWCH WA
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
PO Box D184
PERTH WA 6840
Tel/Fax (08) 9380 4168
