John Hunter Children’s Hospital to NOC on Manning’s door

John Hunter Children’s Hospital will be taking their services to Manning Rural Referral Hospital by holding two Neonatal Outreach Clinics each 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 were 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 Manning Rural Referral Hospital wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for a dedicated team of professionals, both from John Hunter Children’s Hospital and Manning Rural Referral Hospital.

“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 service provided to the most precious babies in the Manning Region,” 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.

Manning Rural Referral Hospital Paediatrician Dr Dylan Wesley is delighted that the staff of John Hunter Children’s Hospital will provide Manning with support, in both a medical and educational capacity.

“The benefits of the Neonatal Outreach Clinics will be twofold. The clinics will directly benefit the babies who are seen and their families; they will also provide education for the General Paediatricians, Junior Medical and Nursing staff at Manning Rural Referral Hospital. An improvement in the care of babies in the Manning and Great Lakes area will be the end result, “Dr Wesley said.

The clinics at Manning Rural Referral Hospital will be held on the 30 April and 29 October, 2010. Clinics are also conducted in Tamworth and Coffs Harbour.

Media inquiries:
Lucas Coleman - 02 4921 3844, 0407 895101 (ref HNE- 2183)