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John Hunter Children’s Hospital to NOC on Regional Hospitals door
John Hunter Children’s Hospital will
be taking their services to Tamworth, Manning and Coffs Harbour
Hospitals by holding two Neonatal Outreach Clinics at each hospital
per year.
As many babies at John Hunter Children’s Hospital’s
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are from regional and rural areas
in NSW, it is important that neonatal services are provided in
their local communities.
The Neonatal Outreach Clinics will be provided
for babies born prior to 29 weeks gestation, or those born with
complex medical or surgical conditions. In NSW babies born at
or prior to this gestation period are followed into childhood,
which means being seen by a team of clinicians including medical,
nursing and Allied Health professionals, to ensure they attain
normal developmental milestones.
These professionals look at medical issues and
ensure children are developing in areas such as vision, hearing,
behaviour and social interaction.
Other specialists will provide an educational
service for staff regarding caring for newborns with complex needs.
They will be working with and educate local therapists to ensure
the best outcomes for these babies.
John Hunter Children’s Hospital Neonatologist,
Dr Paul Craven believes the chance to share the knowledge and
experience of an intensive care environment with staff at Tamworth,
Manning and Coffs Harbour wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for
a dedicated team of professionals.
“The team at John Hunter Children’s Hospital
is delighted to take neonatal services to patients when and where
they need them. Building these outreach clinics and educational
services will enhance the already excellent services provided
to the most precious babies in regional areas,” Dr Craven said.
John Hunter Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit is a designated level six facility, which is one of
only three in NSW that provides seriously ill infants with life
saving treatment.
One clinic has already been conducted
in Tamworth with 17 patients attending.
Media inquiries:
Lucas Coleman - 02 4921 3844, 0407 895101 (ref HNE- 2182) |
