Your Guide To RCH

Your Guide
For patients, families and visitors edition 1 november 2011

this page Royal Park, Parkville – home of The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
front cover Long-term patients Ilario and Pandora in Main Street
back cover Main Street, the central hub of The Royal Children’s Hospital
Contents
Section 1 Welcome 3
About The Royal Children’s Hospital 4
Section 2 The new Royal Children’s Hospital 7
Finding your way around the hospital 8
Main Street 11
Creature 11
Aquarium 11
Retail and food 11
Inpatient building 12
Specialist Clinics 14
Outdoor spaces 14
Family precinct 14
Bean Bag Cinema 14
Meerkats 15
Interactive displays 15
A ‘green’ hospital 15
Section 3 Coming to hospital 17
How to get to The Royal Children’s Hospital 18
Getting ready to come to The Royal Children’s Hospital 20
Knowing what to expect 24
Section 4 During your visit 29
If your child is coming for surgery 30
Coming for a Specialist Clinics (outpatient) appointment 33
Life on the ward 36
Accommodation for parents/carers and families 38
Staff you may meet 40
Activities 45
Education and learning support for patients 46
Educational Play Therapy 47
Comfort Kids 47
Getting ready to go home 49
Section 5 Working together to provide care 51
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights 52
What you can expect of us 52
What we expect of you 53
Providing safe care 55
Consumer participation 57
Your experience—every patient, every family, every time 58
Consumer feedback form 59
Section 6 Helpful resources and facilities 61
Family Resource and Respite Centre 62
A–Z of resources and facilities 63
Facilities outside the hospital 69
Tips from parents to parents 70
Section 7 Supporting the RCH 73
Volunteering 74
The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation 74
Good Friday Appeal 74
Auxiliaries 74
Maps Fold-out visitor map 75
Map of local area (inside back cover)
Aerial view of the new and old Royal Children’s Hospital
with the Melbourne CBD in the background
Welcome
1
Welcome to The Royal
Children’s Hospital,
Melbourne. In this section
you’ll learn about who
we are and what we do.
Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 3

Welcome
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) With a passionate, highly-skilled and

is a big place that can be confusing for committed staff of more than 4,000
patients, families, carers and visitors. campus-wide, we provide a full range
of clinical services, tertiary care and
In November 2011, we moved into our
health promotion and prevention
new hospital on Flemington Road in
programs for children and adolescents.
Parkville, Melbourne (next door to the
old site). We are the designated state-wide
major trauma centre for paediatrics in
The information in this booklet will help
Victoria and a Nationally Funded Centre
you before, during and after your visit,
for cardiac and liver transplantation
as well as give you an overview of the
and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
new hospital and its spaces, facilities
and services. When it comes to training and research
we partner with the very best. Our
If you have any questions or need
campus partners, Murdoch Childrens
help at any time while you are at the
Research Institute and The University
hospital, please ask any of our staff, visit
of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics
the main reception in Main Street on
are on site with the hospital in Parkville.
Ground floor (Beach), or visit the Family
Together, we are committed to improving
Resource and Respite Centre in the
the health outcomes for children today
North Building, Ground floor (Beach).
and in the future.
When you’re not at the RCH,
telephone us or visit our website.
Telephone Our vision
+ 61 3 9345 5522 The Royal Children’s Hospital,
a GREAT children’s hospital,
Website
leading the way
www.rch.org.au
Our mission
About The Royal The Royal Children’s Hospital
improves the health and wellbeing
Children’s Hospital of children and adolescents
The Royal Children’s Hospital has through leadership in healthcare,
been providing outstanding care for research and education
Victoria’s children and their families
for over 140 years.
Our values
Unity, Respect, Integrity, Excellence
We are the major specialist paediatric
hospital in Victoria and our care
extends to children from Tasmania,
southern New South Wales, other
states around Australia and overseas.
4 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

View of Main Street from Level 5

Aquarium in Main Street and Emergency
Photo: John Gollings

2
The new Royal
Children’s Hospital
In November 2011,
we moved into the new
Royal Children’s Hospital.
In this section read about
some of the things the
new RCH has to offer.

The new Royal Children’s Hospital
The new Royal Children’s Hospital The hospital features 85 per cent single
(RCH) provides world-class facilities inpatient rooms, parkland views,
for patients, families, visitors and staff. a central area for most outpatient
appointments called Specialist Clinics,
We’ve created an environment that
and plenty of things to enjoy such as
is uniquely designed for children and
interactive playgrounds and displays,
young people—spaces that are fun, outdoor spaces, a coral reef aquarium,
stimulating and take healing beyond a bean bag cinema and artwork to
the bedside. The design reflects appeal to and engage people of all ages.
growing evidence of the importance
of nature and environment to the
healing process, with a state-of-the-art
Finding your way around
building surrounded by native parkland, the hospital
flooded with natural light and splashed
A wayfinding strategy has been
with colour. developed to help patients, families,
The sunshades on the outside of the visitors and staff find their way around
building are called petals. The colours the hospital. Each level of the hospital
of the petals were chosen based on has a theme inspired by Australian flora
the leaves and bark on trees in Royal and fauna and reflecting the Victorian
Park—green petals show where the landscape. Patient and family areas
main entrance is and red petals show feature colourful artwork, graphics
the entrance to Emergency. and signage that relates to the
different themes.
Wayfinding illustration – Level 4 Mountain Tops

Wayfinding themes
Level Theme Region of Victoria

Basement 1, 2 and 3 Underground Victorian goldfields
Lower Ground Underwater Port Phillip Bay
Ground Beach Great Ocean Road
Level 1 Earth Central Victorian farming district
Level 2 Forest The Grampians National Park
Level 3 Tree Tops Otway Ranges
Level 4 Mountain Tops Alpine National Park
Level 5 Sky Melbourne city skyline
There are three main lift areas identified by colour—the green lifts, yellow lifts and white
lifts. As a patient, parent, carer or family member, you’ll find the green lifts and yellow
lifts most useful.
Green lifts take you to the wards, Medical Imaging, the family precinct, Allied Health,
Surgical Short Stay and the car park. Yellow lifts take you to Emergency (if already in
the hospital), Medical Short Stay, Day Medical Care, Day Cancer Care, Surgery and
the car park. See the fold-out map at the back of this guide for lift locations.

Creature in Main Street

Main Street Aquarium
The hospital’s central hub is called Our two-storey coral reef aquarium
Main Street, with direct links to all is visible from Emergency on Lower
areas of the hospital. Based on the Ground (Underwater) and Main Street.
concept of a small country town, Main
It is stocked with around 25 species of
Street runs through the middle of the
hospital from Flemington Road to Royal fish, including maroon clownfish, black
Park and is located on Ground floor butterfly fish, Queensland yellowtail
(Beach). Patients, families and staff can angel fish and a Blue Linckia sea star.
access Main Street via the lifts from The tank holds 153,000 litres of water
the underground car park or the main and will be maintained and cleaned
entrance on Flemington Road. daily by external specialists Advanced
In Main Street you’ll find the main Aquarium Technologies.
information desk, wayfinding kiosks,
retail and food outlets, a two-storey Retail and food
coral reef aquarium, a sculpture called
‘Creature’ and five mobiles called Food and retail outlets include a
‘Sky Garden’. cafeteria, bakery and coffee outlet,
gelato bar, ‘grab and go’ cafe, sandwich
bar, sushi and Asian food, McDonald’s,
Creature a convenience store, retail pharmacy
Creature, a 14-metre tall, whimsical and gift shop.
sculpture forms the centrepiece of
They are all located on Ground floor
Main Street.
(Beach), in (or just off) Main Street.
Its kind eyes gaze at a beautiful Trading hours vary, but many operate
butterfly gently flapping its wings— from 6.30am to 10pm every day.
a reassuring signal to children that the
RCH is a friendly place where little Vending machines are located on levels
things are cared for. 1–5 of the hospital.
It is also a key element of ‘pARTicipate’,

our therapeutic, educational and
creative arts program which recognises
the important role of art in the
healing process.
Suspended in Main Street around
Creature is ‘Sky Garden’—five delicate, Parent tip
floating mobiles featuring fairies at Creature can be
play that are based on silhouettes used as an easy
meeting point for
of children jumping and leaping. family and friends

Inpatient building
Level Theme Ward
Lower Ground Underwater Dolphin – Medical Short Stay* (East Building)
Level 1 Earth Kelpie – Adolescent and Rehabilitation Care
Banksia – Mental Health
Level 2 Forest Kookaburra – Cancer Care
Sugar Glider – Medical Care
Level 3 Tree Tops Koala – Cardiac Surgery
Rosella – Intensive Care
Possum – Surgical Short Stay* (East Building)
Level 4 Mountain Tops Platypus – Surgical Care
Cockatoo – Surgical and Neuro Care
Level 5 Sky Butterfly – Newborn Intensive Care
*Short-stay wards are located in the East Building, separate to the inpatient building.
Wayfinding illustration – Level 5 Sky

The inpatient building (North Building) Every inpatient room has a clinical zone,
is made up of nine wards across five patient zone and family zone: the clinical
levels, with each ward taking on the zone has point-of-care consumables
name of a native animal or plant that and medications; the patient zone has
relates to the way-finding theme of a headboard with necessary gases and
that level. power points, a bed, a patient education
and entertainment system, a desk and
The inpatient building makes the most
storage (including a small fridge and
of natural light and the parkland setting,
safe for valuables); the family zone has
allowing for 80 per cent of all rooms
a couch that converts to a bed for a
to have a view of the parkland, and the
parent to stay overnight and switches for
remaining 20 per cent to have a view
volume and lighting control. Rooms also
of courtyards or gardens.
have an ensuite with shower and toilet.
Each level features a central waiting
See page 36 for information about
area, parent lounge, breastfeeding and
‘Life on the ward’.
baby-change room, personal care suite
and toilets.
Eighty-five per cent of inpatient rooms
are single, with the remaining 15 per
cent double rooms.

Specialist Clinics sweeping lawn area and an amphitheatre

for special events, performances and
The majority of outpatient appointments entertainment.
at the new RCH are conveniently
located in one central, easy-to-access Some outdoor spaces, such as therapy
area off Main Street on Ground floor gardens, have been purpose built to
(Beach), called Specialist Clinics. assist in the treatment and rehabilitation
of patients, and have restricted access.
Specialist Clinics provides a
comprehensive range of general and
specialist outpatient services. Your Family precinct
appointment letter will tell you where The family precinct is located in the
you need to go for your appointment. North Building on Ground floor (Beach)
Specialist Clinics has been designed and includes:
with patients and families in mind, with ʺͶͶ,(+8Ͷ#2.41!#Ͷ-"Ͷ#2/(3#Ͷ#-31#
our overall aim to reduce wait times and (see page 62)
deliver an improved patient experience.
ʺͶͶ18#1Ͷ-"Ͷ #"(33(.-Ͷ˖Ͷ 4114/Ͷ((*ʳͶ
The hospital has flexible waiting areas
a calm welcoming space for prayer,
for patients and families including the
meditation or quiet reflection for
aquarium, meerkat enclosure, various
people of all faiths, or none. The space
retail and food outlets, gardens and
also includes a serene outdoor area
play areas.
For some clinics, a patient pager system ʺͶͶ")Ͷ .1(%(-+Ͷ,(+8Ͷ+!#ʳͶͶ
is available, allowing patients and dedicated space for Aboriginal and
families to enjoy these spaces and be Torres Strait Islander families
called back to the waiting area when ʺͶͶ#-Ͷ%Ͷ(-#,
their doctor is ready to see them.
ʺͶͶ31+(%'3Ͷ7/1#22Ͷ..,
See page 33 for more information about (see page 46)
coming to the hospital as an outpatient.
Bean Bag Cinema
Outdoor spaces
Located in the North Building on
Set amidst the natural beauty of Royal Ground floor (Beach), our Hoyts Bean
Park, the hospital has many gardens, Bag Cinema screens family-friendly
secure playgrounds and landscaped recent-release movies, providing a
areas for recreation and relaxation. welcome distraction and a fun break
The Great Garden Court, at the end for patients and families. Movies
of Main Street on Ground floor (Beach) and screening times vary. For more
is a large, welcoming outdoor space information, ask our ward staff.
with a secure playground, seating,

fun in designs that offer stimulation
Meerkat
to a wide age range.
A ‘green’ hospital
The RCH building is environmentally
friendly and aims to be Australia’s
‘greenest’ hospital. An overall 45 per
cent reduction in greenhouse gases
will be achieved through initiatives
such as energy efficient lighting,
heating and cooling systems, and the
inclusion of a tri-generation plant and
solar panels.
A black water treatment system,
rainwater collection, water-efficient
fittings and water-conscious landscaping
Meerkats will also reduce water use and provide
The new RCH is home to nine cheeky water for Royal Park.
and inquisitive meerkats, whose open
air enclosure is located in the Specialist
Clinics waiting area on Ground floor
(Beach). Their enclosure replicates their
natural habitat. Melbourne Zoo staff care
for them and provide meerkat education
sessions every day. The meerkat mob
entertain everyone and provide a great
distraction and learning experience for
children when they visit hospital. The
unique concept was developed in
partnership with Zoos Victoria, with
the support of the Hugh Williamson
Foundation.
Interactive displays
Museum Victoria provides interactive
science and technology displays for our
waiting areas. The 15 displays on loan
from Scienceworks mix science and Playground in the Great Garden Court

Front entrance of The Royal Children’s Hospital
3
Coming to hospital
Getting ready for a hospital
visit can be a daunting
experience for children and
their families. Knowing how
to get here, what to bring
and what to expect can help
families prepare.

Coming to hospital
How to get to The Royal Disabled parking

Limited parking bays are available
Children’s Hospital on each level of the car park for those
with an eligible disability parking permit
Arriving by car
which must be displayed at all times.
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH)
is located on Flemington Road in Motorbike parking
Parkville, Melbourne. The hospital is There are parks for motorbikes on each
only minutes from the city centre, and level of the car park.
about a 20 minute drive from Melbourne
Airport (Tullamarine). Payment and exit
Payment must be made at one of the
Dropping off car park payment machines before
There are two drop-off zones. One is you return to your car. Machines are
located at the main entrance and the located at:
other is out the front of Emergency.
ʺͶͶ (-Ͷ31##3ʳͶ1.4-"ͶУ..1Ͷ˟#!'ˠ
Public transport ʺͶͶ,#1%#-!8ʳͶ.6#1Ͷ1.4-"Ͷ
To get to the hospital from the city, take (Underwater)
tram 59 from Elizabeth Street or tram ʺͶͶ#++.6Ͷ+($3Ͷ+. 8ʳͶ2#,#-3ͶʜͶ
55 from William Street. Tram stop 19 (Underground)
(on route 55 and 59) on Flemington
Road is outside the main entrance ʺͶͶ#++.6Ͷ+($3Ͷ+. 8ʳͶ2#,#-3Ͷʝ
of the hospital. Tram and train tickets ʺͶͶ#++.6Ͷ+($3Ͷ+. 8ʳͶ2#,#-3Ͷʞ
can be purchased from the RCH retail
The car park exit takes you on to
pharmacy, located in Main Street.
Flemington Road. Exit 1 is left hand turn
Parking only. Exit 2 is left or right hand turn.
Enter from Entry 1 (left hand turn only) Lost tickets
or Entry 2 (left and right hand turn) If you lose your ticket, you will need
on Flemington Road. To gain entry, take to pay a full day casual rate. This is to
a ticket from the ticket box at the boom be paid at the Security office, located
gate and the gate will open. on Lower Ground (Underwater) next
There are three levels of parking—B1, to Emergency. You will be asked to
B2 and B3. Indicator boards will tell present your driver licence.
Parent tip
drivers when a level is full or how many Discount parking
See the inside
back cover for vacant spots are available on each level. The discount card entitles parents
a map of the The car park is open 24 hours a day, to exit the car park during the day but
local area,
including shops seven days a week. only pay once. You are eligible for
and transport a discount card if your child receives

a disability allowance (eg Child Disability Security
‘CD’ on the patient’s Health Care Card 9347 4018
or Disability Support Pension ‘DSP’ on
Location
the Pension Card).
East Building, Lower Ground
You may be eligible for a discount if (Underwater), next to Emergency
your child is an inpatient for an extended
Open
period. These cards are for primary
24 hours, seven days a week
carers of patients and not for their
extended family or visitors.
RCH patient Rekisha

Coming to hospital
Getting ready to come What to bring

to The Royal Children’s Documents and information
ʺͶͶ'(2Ͷ ..*
Hospital
ʺͶͶ",(22(.-Ͷ+#33#1
What to tell your child ʺͶͶ#3(+2Ͷ .43Ͷ8.41Ͷ%#-#1+Ͷ
Children need to understand what is practitioner (GP) and/or local
going to happen when they come to paediatrician, including name,
hospital. Be clear and honest; it is address and contact number
important to use simple words you
ʺͶͶ'#Ͷ,#"(!3(.-2Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ!411#-3+8Ͷ
think your child will understand. When
takes, including non-prescribed
answering their questions try to be
medications and herbal preparations
as honest as you can.
ʺͶͶ -$.1,3(.-Ͷ1#%1"(-%Ͷ-8Ͷ++#1%(#2Ͷ
There are many helpful books available
to food or medications
to assist you, available at the RCH Shop
and Kids Health Info. ʺͶͶ -$.1,3(.-Ͷ .43Ͷ-8Ͷ2/#!(+Ͷ"(#318Ͷ
needs—in some instances there may be
RCH Shop and Kids Health Info
delays in providing unique baby formulas
9345 6429
or dietary-appropriate snacks. Please
Location bring a bottle of formula/appropriate
Main Street, Ground floor (Beach) snacks so that your child is comfortable
while waiting
ʺͶͶ #"(!1#Ͷ!1"˙/1(53#Ͷ'#+3'Ͷ$4-"Ͷ
RCH patient Anthea book/card
ʺͶͶ#+3'Ͷ!1#Ͷ!1"Ͷ.1Ͷ/#-2(.-Ͷ
concession card
ʺͶͶ 3#1-+Ͷ-"Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ'#+3'Ͷ1#!.1"Ͷ ..*
Personal items for your child (if your
child is staying overnight)
ʺͶͶ #"(!+Ͷ#04(/,#-3Ͷ.1Ͷ"(2 (+(38Ͷ("2Ͷ
eg asthma spacers, breast pumps
(if applicable)
ʺͶͶ 8),2Ͷ˟+(%'3Ͷ6#(%'3ˠʳͶ"1#22(-%Ͷ%.6-Ͷ
and slippers
ʺͶͶ.(+#31(#2ͶͶ˗3..3' 142'ʳͶ3..3'/23#ʳͶ
brush, comb etc.

ʺͶͶ/#!(+Ͷ3.8ʳͶ!4""+8Ͷ +-*#3ʳͶ!.+.41(-%Ͷ ʺͶͶ+#2#Ͷ5.("Ͷ 1(-%(-%Ͷ(-Ͷ2( +(-%2Ͷ.1Ͷ
book or story. Favourite toys are an visitors who are unwell with a rash,
important part of a child’s recovery. fever (raised temperature) or gastro
You are welcome to bring in your
child’s favourite toys, but please What you need to tell us
ensure the following: Allergies and dietary requirements
- Any toys you bring in are clean (soft The staff caring for your child need to
toys should be machine washed) be aware of any allergies your child may
have. These need to be documented
- Wash your toys weekly if your child and your child will be given a red
is here for a lengthy period identification band to wear. Please
discuss with the staff any allergic
- Don’t share your toys with other
reactions your child may have to any
children
medications, foods, or other products.
- If your child has played with any
Medications and complementary
hospital toys, please give them back
alternative medications
to the ward staff to clean rather than
For your child’s safety, we need to
putting back in to the general stock
know about all the medicines they have
Personal items for you or other family been taking. This includes medicines
members prescribed by a doctor, bought without
If you are staying overnight: a prescription from health food shops,
pharmacies or supermarkets and any
ʺͶͶͶ2+##/(-%Ͷ %Ͷ.1Ͷ+(-#-ʳͶ-"ͶͶ/(++.6 complementary or alternative medicines.
ʺͶͶ#12.-+Ͷ3.(+#31(#2 These are sometimes called natural
remedies and include vitamins, minerals,
If you are attending for the day only, herbal therapies, tonics, aromatherapy
it may help to bring: and homeopathic medicines.
ʺͶͶ1,Ͷ.1Ͷ231.++#1 Share this information with the doctor,
ʺͶͶ.1,4+ nurse or ward pharmacist when you
arrive so there is less chance of missing
ʺͶͶ4-!'Ͷ$.1Ͷ8.412#+$ an important medicine, doubling up or
giving medicines that might interact.
What NOT to bring
Dietary requirements
ʺͶͶ+4 +#2ʵͶ/+#2#Ͷ3*#Ͷ!1#Ͷ6(3'Ͷ8.41Ͷ
personal items; the hospital is not Tell us about your child’s dietary needs
once he/she has been admitted. However,
responsible for any loss or theft of
if your child has very special diet needs
your or your child’s possessions
and you would like to discuss these
ʺͶͶ+#!31(!+Ͷ#04(/,#-3Ͷ.1Ͷ-8Ͷ/+4%˕(-Ͷ before admission, contact Nutrition
equipment, eg TVs (battery operated and Dietetics on 9345 5663 and speak
items are fine to bring) to one of our dietitians.

Coming to hospital
Inpatient building
GP/family doctor Then, we can check we have the

It is important that your child has correct details for your usual GP
a regular healthcare provider in on your child’s record.
the community, such as a general Sometimes your child may be seen and
practitioner (called a GP or family referred to the RCH by a different GP.
doctor). This doctor gets to know your We need to know which GP you prefer
child and family over time and can us to correspond with. We will send
provide consistent, quality care. you and your chosen GP a summary
Please carry your GP’s business card letter about your child’s hospital visit
with your Medicare card and show and follow-up care. If you do not want
it to our staff every time you visit us to contact the GP, please make sure
the hospital. you tell our staff.

If you do not have a GP yet, please you 24–36 hours before your expected
visit our website for tips on finding admission to check that your child is
and choosing a GP near you. well for surgery.
Website Telephone
www.rch.org.au 9345 6182
Planned admissions Postponement of surgery

There are two types of planned Occasionally the hospital has to
admissions. Your admission letter postpone admissions/surgery due
will tell you what you need to do and to an unexpected high number of
where you need to go. emergency admissions. We try to
avoid this happening as we realise
Medical admissions
it can be upsetting. Should this occur,
If you’re coming in for a planned the hospital apologises for the
medical admission, you will receive inconvenience and will arrange
a letter to tell you what day and an another admission as soon as possible.
approximate time your child will be
admitted. We will contact you in the Using your private health
morning on that day to tell you which insurance
hospital ward to come to.
When your child is admitted as an
Telephone inpatient, you will be asked to complete
9345 5862 the ‘Form of Election for Admission
Surgical admissions to a Public Hospital’. You can choose
to have your child admitted using your
If you’re coming in for planned surgery,
private health insurance. There are
you will receive a letter to tell you when
generally no out-of-pocket expenses
to come and where you need to go.
when you use your private health
Telephone insurance and doing so helps support
9345 6182 funding for hospital services. Please
Location ask for our brochure, ‘Using your
East Building, Level 3 (Tree Tops), private health insurance at the RCH’,
Surgery Reception J, via yellow lifts or contact our Patient Liaison team.
Patient Liaison
If you cannot come as arranged 9345 6110
If your child is unwell, has a fever
(raised temperature), runny nose,
cough, rash or diarrhoea or you can’t
come for any reason, then let us know
as soon as possible. We will contact

Coming to hospital
Knowing what to expect Our staff

During your stay at the RCH, you are
Patient and family-centred care likely to meet a number of different
At The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), health professionals and support staff.
delivery of health care is based on Nurses, doctors, administrative staff,
partnerships between patients, families therapists, dietitians, pharmacists,
and all those involved in their care. We social workers, teachers and others
recognise that young people heal best might play a part in the team that will
when their families are part of the team, be looking after you. The role of each
and we’re committed to this approach staff member is different so please ask
that’s being embraced in paediatric who they are if you are unsure. You’ll
facilities around the world. It is known find a description of some of the staff
as ‘patient and family-centred care’. you may meet on page 40.
The key principles:
In the media
ʺͶͶ(%-(38Ͷ-"Ͷ1#2/#!3
Corporate Communications at the RCH
ʺͶͶ -$.1,3(.-Ͷ2'1(-% manages all media contact for hospital
ʺͶͶ13(!(/3(.- staff, patients and their families. All
media calls and visits must be directed
ʺͶͶ.++ .13(.- to Corporate Communications. Please
talk with our Corporate Communications
Privacy staff before allowing media to visit your
We are committed to protecting the child in hospital.
privacy of our patients. We are required
If your child becomes the subject
by law to protect personal information
of media interest, Corporate
and comply with the Health Records
Communications is available to support
Act 2001 and other relevant legislation
and advise you if you choose to speak
relating to confidentiality and privacy.
with the media, or will handle all media
For more information or a copy of our
enquiries on your behalf.
‘Privacy’ brochure, please visit our
website or contact the Family Resource Media cannot come into the hospital
and Respite Centre. without permission from Corporate
Communications. No personal
Website
information about your child is released
www.rch.org.au
to the media without your consent.
Family Resource and Respite Centre
Corporate Communications
9345 4662
9345 5138

Ward staff base
Photo: Shannon McGrath
A teaching hospital Our research

The RCH is a teaching hospital for Medical research is vital to identify
doctors, nurses and allied health staff. new approaches to preventing,
A student may ask to talk to you or diagnosing and treating childhood
your child or examine your child. diseases and to promoting the health
We encourage parents to participate, and wellbeing of children. The RCH
however if you have any concerns, is one of the world’s leading academic
please say ‘no’ and speak with the nurse hospitals and has a long-standing and
unit manager or your child’s doctor. strong commitment to research.
We also provide training for doctors
from overseas. These doctors are
qualified and are gaining more skills
in the care of children.

Coming to hospital
We are co-located with campus How you can get involved in research
partners, Murdoch Childrens Research The strength of research on our campus
Institute and The University of depends on children and parents/carers
Melbourne. The partnership allows participating in research. Whilst your
the sharing of staff, facilities, expertise child is at the hospital, you and your
and knowledge and means that research child may be approached about your
findings can be quickly translated into
child taking part in research. Your child’s
clinical practice. Collaboration between
contribution could help to provide better
scientists, researchers and doctors
care both for your child and for other
on laboratory, clinical and public health
research projects has resulted in children in the future.
outstanding advances in child health. Involvement in research may involve
Researchers are supported by funding filling in questionnaires or surveys,
from the Australian Government and trialling a different medication or
state governments, corporate sponsors treatment, or undergoing extra tests
and philanthropic organisations, or procedures. All research projects on
as well as from fundraising programs the campus undergo an ethical review
facilitated by The Royal Children’s before being approved. Before agreeing
Hospital Foundation and Murdoch to allow your child to take part in a
Childrens Research Institute. research project, be sure both you and

Murdoch Childrens
Research Institute
Murdoch Childrens Research
Institute is located in the same
building as The Royal Children’s
Hospital, and is the hospital’s
research partner.
Institute is the largest and most
prestigious child health research
organisation in Australia, and
was established 25 years ago
with support from its Patron
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC
DBE. The Institute has over
MCRI research assistant Megan French 1,400 researchers, with many
having dual appointments with
the RCH and The University
your child understand what is involved of Melbourne.
and ask questions about the project.
There is no financial cost to you Institute conducts a broad
associated with taking part in research range of research, with focus
and there is no obligation for your child on conditions such as diabetes,
to take part in research. If you decide allergies, asthma, premature
you’d rather your child didn’t take part birth and mental health problems
it won’t affect your relationship with which are on the rise in our
the RCH and your child will continue children, and conditions such
to receive high quality care. as cancer and genetic disorders
If you have any questions or concerns that remain unsolved.
about our research, please contact the Website
Director, Research Development and www.mcri.edu.au
Ethics.
Telephone
9345 6924
Email
rch.ethics@rch.org.au

Photo: John Gollings
Main Street, with Creature

and Sky Garden in view
During your visit
Your visit may be for an
appointment, day stay,
overnight stay or longer.
The more children, parents
and carers know about the
hospital and what to expect,
the better you’ll feel.

During your visit
If your child is coming Children’s Pain Management

Service
for surgery
Children’s Pain Management Service is
Surgery is located in the East Building a multidisciplinary team that oversees
on Level 3 (Tree Tops), at Reception J acute (usual post-operative) and chronic
(via the yellow lifts). This is where you pain management in both inpatients
need to come when attending for any and outpatients. Any patient who has
procedure whether it’s just for the day, a procedure other than as a ‘day patient’
overnight or longer. will potentially be seen by the acute
pain management team to ensure
Pre-Admission Resource Centre that pain management is optimised.
The Pre-Admission Resource Centre is The chronic pain management clinic
a service available to all surgical patients, is accessed by medical referral, usually
to prepare them for elective surgery. as an outpatient.
Before your child is placed on the
‘Pain Pain Go Away’ is a booklet
surgical waiting list, you will be asked
available to families from the Family
to complete a risk screen questionnaire
Resource and Respite Centre or the
and you may meet with an anaesthetist,
Pre-Admission Resource Centre.
a nurse, an occupational therapist,
a physiotherapist, a play therapist, Fasting
and/or a surgeon. This service provides
Children don’t like being hungry or
an opportunity for any clinical
thirsty, but fasting is necessary to
examinations, tests and conversations
make anaesthesia as safe as possible.
to occur prior to admission.
Please refer to your admission letter
Appointments can be made by your from the hospital and follow the fasting
referring doctor at the time that the instructions carefully. If you do not
procedure is booked, or families can follow the instructions, the operation
contact the service directly. or procedure may be postponed. If you
Telephone have any questions about the fasting
9345 4115 instructions, please contact your
child’s doctor or our Pre-Admission
Location Resource Centre.
East Building, Ground floor (Beach),
Specialist Clinics, Reception A6 Pre-Admission Resource Centre
9345 4115
Parent tip Email
If your child pre.admission@rch.org.au
is having day Website
surgery, come
prepared to be www.rch.org.au/preadmission
here all day

Consent
Consent is giving permission for a test,
operation or procedure to go ahead.
The doctor will let you know why the
test, operation or procedure needs to
be done, what will be done and how it
will be done. You will also be told of any
problems or risks that may occur.
It is important that you fully understand
the test, operation or procedure your
child will have. For some procedures
and operations you will be asked to sign
a consent form after talking with your
child’s doctor. Please take your time to
ask any questions you may have. There
is no rush to complete the form.
There may be a fact sheet about the
test, procedure or operation your child
is to have—please ask the doctor. If
your child is old enough, the doctor
may ask for their views and permission
for the test, operation or procedure to
go ahead.
Patient identification
When your child is admitted to hospital
he/she will have an identification band
attached around their wrist or ankle. For this reason you will be asked on
The band tells the staff your child’s a number of occasions to confirm that
name and date of birth, and their the information contained on your
unique RCH number (UR number). child’s identification band is correct,
A trip to theatre involves travelling and that the procedure undertaken
through a number of different areas, is the one documented on the consent
such as the pre-operative hold area, form you have signed. It may seem
the operating theatre, and the recovery redundant to be asked these questions
area. Your child will be cared for by a number of times before the operation
a number of different medical and begins, but it is part of a safety system
nursing staff members. that is in place to ensure the right child
gets the right care.

During your visit
Having an anaesthetic
RCH patient Oliver
The process of going to theatre and
the ways that your child can be
anaesthetised will be discussed with
you at a pre-surgery consultation. A
free, comprehensive booklet detailing
many issues related to planned surgery
and anaesthesia is available.
Anaesthesia and Pain Management
9345 5233
RCH Shop and Kids Health Info
9345 6429
Pre-Admission Resource Centre
9345 4115
Website
www.rch.org.au/anaes
Parent retreat
The parent retreat in Surgery is located
near the reception area and waiting
room. A staff member will show you
this area when your child is taken into
theatre. If it is anticipated that you may
have a long wait, we will provide you
with a parent pager so you are able
to wait in other areas of the hospital.
There are also toilets, change rooms and
a breastfeeding and baby-change room.
Recovery area
This is where your child will be taken
to wake up after surgery. Nursing staff
will call you into Stage 1 Recovery as
soon as possible after your child arrives
here, and before your child wakes up
wherever possible. Your child will remain
in Stage 1 Recovery to be monitored by
nursing staff, until he/she is awake and

ready to move to either Stage 2 Referrals from GPs or specialists
Recovery before heading home (if a A referral is a written letter or note
day surgery patient), to the Possum
from one doctor to another requesting
Ward – Surgical Short Stay for an
assistance in the management of
overnight stay or an inpatient ward.
a patient’s condition or problem.
A GP can write a referral to a specialist,
Day surgery
or a specialist can write a referral to
There are some surgical procedures another specialist.
that do not require an overnight stay
in hospital. If your child is having day If a referral is written by your GP, it is
surgery it is important that you plan valid for 12 months, unless otherwise
for an entire day’s stay. This may mean stated by the doctor. If a consultant or
you will arrive at 7am or 12pm, and may specialist writes a referral, it is valid for
need to be here until after 5pm. Your three months.
admission letter will tell you what you
need to do and where you need to go.
Making an appointment
When we receive a referral from
Coming for a Specialist your doctor, we will send you a letter
confirming that we have received
Clinics (outpatient) the referral and it is being processed.
appointment When an appointment is available, you
will receive a letter inviting you to call
Specialist Clinics at The Royal
us and make an appointment at a time
Children’s Hospital (RCH) provides
that suits you and your family. We will
a comprehensive range of general
then send you a letter confirming the
and specialist outpatient services, with
appointment details. Please check the
the majority located in one central,
date and time of the appointment and
easy-to-access area off Main Street.
put it on your calendar.
To make an appointment, you need
a written referral from your general What to bring
practitioner (GP) or specialist.
ʺͶͶ.41Ͷ//.(-3,#-3Ͷ+#33#1
Telephone
ʺͶͶ+("Ͷ1#$#11+Ͷ+#33#1
9345 6180
ʺͶͶ #"(!1#Ͷ!1"
When to call Parent tip
8.30am–4.30pm, Monday–Friday ʺͶͶ 3#1-+Ͷ-"Ͷ'(+"Ͷ#+3'Ͷ#!.1"Ͷ
When your child
book/immunisation record is at the hospital,
Location
ʺͶͶ#3(+2Ͷ.$Ͷ8.41ͶʳͶ(-!+4"(-%Ͷ-,#ʳͶ it helps to make
East Building, Ground floor (Beach),
alternative
Specialist Clinics, Reception A1 to A6 address and contact number arrangements for
(directly off Main Street) other children,
eg school pickups

During your visit
When you turn up for your appointment,

you may also be given with a pager
so you can leave the waiting area. The

pager will alert you when to return to
Specialist Clinics for your appointment.
There are a variety of family-friendly
areas throughout the hospital that you
can visit while waiting, including retail
and food outlets in Main Street, the
Specialist Clinics
meerkat enclosure, Creature and
waiting area and ʺͶͶͶ+(23Ͷ.$Ͷ2/#!(Т!Ͷ04#23(.-2Ͷ8.4Ͷ,8Ͷ aquarium in Main Street, outdoor
meerkat enclosure have for the doctor about your child’s spaces and interactive activity spaces.
condition/treatment/care plan Specialist Clinics staff will tell you
ʺͶͶ-8Ͷ1#+#5-3Ͷ,#"(!+Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ3'3Ͷ approximately how long your wait will
the doctor may require, eg x-rays, be and some of the areas you can go.
blood results, previous medical As there may be occasions when your
records, if applicable appointment is delayed, we suggest that
ʺͶͶ-8Ͷ 8Ͷ(3#,2Ͷ24!'Ͷ2Ͷ-//(#2Ͷ-"Ͷ you allow plenty of time in your day to
formula attend the hospital. We apologise for
any excessive delays you may encounter.
ʺͶͶ-!*2Ͷ-"Ͷ"1(-*2Ͷ$.1Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"
ʺͶͶ.,#3'(-%Ͷ3.Ͷ,42#Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ Learning support and educational
eg toys, reading/colouring books play therapy in Specialist Clinics
Teachers, education support officers
Arriving on time for your and educational play therapists provide
appointment learning opportunities and support for
We recommend that you arrive children and young people in Specialist
five minutes before your allocated Clinics. The area is equipped with
appointment time. If you arrive late for numerous resources to encourage
your appointment, you may have to learning experiences that are informal,
wait a little longer to see the doctor. loosely structured and fun.
Waiting for your appointment In your appointment

Specialist Clinics make every effort Our doctors try to give families the
for your appointment to be on time. time they need to discuss any issues
Sometimes a clinic will be running late about their child’s condition/care,
and your appointment may be delayed. therefore the length of time seeing the
Please speak to the staff member doctor can vary.
at the desk if you have any concerns.

Following the doctor’s questions and inconvenience this may cause and
examination of your child, you have the will endeavour to make the next
opportunity to ask any questions you appointment as soon as possible.
may have.
Text message reminders
If there is anything that the doctor has
said that you do not understand, please We can send a text message reminder
ask him/her to explain it again. to your mobile telephone regarding
your child’s appointment. If you would
RCH is a major teaching hospital, and like to receive these please make sure
children attending a Specialist Clinics that we have your mobile telephone
appointment may be seen by a registrar number. Let us know if you do not want
in conjunction with a consultant doctor. to receive a text message reminder.
Booking your next appointment Blood tests
The doctor will let you know if he/she Your child may require a blood test
would like to see your child again. You in Outpatient Pathology.
will be given a form to give the staff
member at the desk before you leave. You can help your child in many ways
to make the blood test a little easier.
Coordinating appointments You can have anaesthetic cream applied
to your child’s arm before the test. This
Your child may have to see more than
takes 50 minutes to work. Please ask
one doctor at the hospital, and so
the staff.
some families would like to schedule
appointments on the same day. In Other forms of distraction or diversion
some situations this can occur but only can assist your child during the
when the doctors have clinics on the procedure. You may also like to bring
same day. Please discuss this with the some music for your child to listen
administration staff when making your to as a form of distraction.
appointment. Please discuss with a staff member how
you can best assist your child during
Changing appointments the procedure in order to make the
Sometimes it may be necessary for you experience less frightening and painful.
to change your child’s appointment date Outpatient Pathology
and time. Please contact Specialist 9345 5821
Clinics as soon as possible to ensure that Parent tip
another date and time can be arranged. Location
East Building, Ground floor (Beach), Before your visit,
There may be occasions when the write down any
Specialist Clinics, Reception A6 questions or
hospital needs to reschedule your (off Main Street) concerns you may
appointment. We apologise for any wish to talk to the
doctor about

During your visit
Life on the ward

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) is a public hospital and wards are shared
with other children and their families. Eighty-five per cent of inpatient rooms are
single-bed, with the remaining rooms occupying two beds. See page 12 for an
overview of the new inpatient building.
Level Theme Ward

Level 1 Earth Kelpie – Adolescent and Rehabilitation Care
Banksia – Mental Health
Level 2 Forest Kookaburra – Cancer Care
Sugar Glider – Medical Care
Level 3 Tree Tops Koala – Cardiac Surgery
Rosella – Intensive Care
Level 4 Mountain Tops Platypus – Surgical Care
Cockatoo – Surgical and Neuro Care
Level 5 Sky Butterfly – Newborn Intensive Care
Wayfinding illustration – Level 1 Earth

Staying with your child in contact with an infectious disease,
Parents and carers are always welcome should not visit without first discussing
to spend as much time as possible with this with the nurse in charge.
their child and can be involved with
Leaving the ward
their care. You may also stay with your
child during most medical treatments. Before taking your child away from
the ward, please check with the nursing
Visiting hours staff to ensure that he/she is well
Parents and carers are welcome any enough to leave for a short amount of
time. Children recovering from illness time. Please let nursing staff know where
or surgery need their rest. Other family you will be going and for how long.
members and visitors are asked to visit
Meals
during visiting hours. Visiting hours
vary between wards, due to the Meal times for patients vary on each
different needs and ages of children. ward, so check with the nursing staff.
Please speak with the ward clerk or Please let the nursing staff know if your
nursing staff to confirm appropriate child has any special dietary needs.
visiting hours on your allocated ward. If your child is required to fast, the staff
will inform you. Please do not offer food
Note: family and visitors who are or drink to other children, as they may
unwell with an infection, such as have special dietary needs or be fasting.
gastro, a cold or flu, or have come

During your visit
Breastfeeding mothers of infants under Washing facilities

12 months of age may have meals You are able to wash your child’s own
provided during their child’s stay. Please clothes, bedding etc in the parent
ask the nurse looking after your child. laundry in the East Building, Level 2
(Forest) near the overnight
Patient entertainment and accommodation.
education system (television)
Ask the nurse if you require a plastic
A patient entertainment and education
bag for transport to the laundry or to
system is provided in each room. The
take home. Nurses will bag soiled items
system is easy to navigate, but please
and leave in the ensuite if the parent is
ask staff if you have any problems.
absent.
Please do not bring in portable TVs.
In-room fridge Accommodation for

A small fridge is provided for you to parents/carers and
store food for yourself. Strictly no families
alcohol is permitted. Please ask the
nursing staff for the ‘Food from home’ On the ward
guidelines. Each inpatient room has facilities for
one parent to stay. If you intend to stay,
Parent lounge please bring a sleeping bag or linen and
A parent lounge is located on each a pillow. Alternatively, we are able to
level of the inpatient building and supply linen for you. Please store the
provides a shared space for parents/ linen in the drawer under your bed to
carers and immediate family members use the following night. Parents are
of patients. It is a quiet space with able to use the ensuite. Please reuse
a beverage bay, fridge, microwave, your towel.
dishwasher, comfortable couches and
table and chairs. Smoking and alcohol Off the ward
consumption is not permitted. Ronald McDonald House has 45 rooms
for parents/carers of critically ill
The parent lounge should not be used
children, breastfeeding mothers and
for overnight sleeping/accommodation.
parents/carers who have had to travel
a long distance.
Ronald McDonald House also looks
after limited accommodation close
by to the hospital.

Inpatient room
There is also limited parent Ronald McDonald House

accommodation at the hospital, on 9345 6300
Level 2 (Forest) of the East Building.
Location
An accommodation fee is charged for 22 Gatehouse Street, Parkville
these rooms.
Due to demand, there can be a waiting 9345 4662 Parent tip
list for parent accommodation. Further Being with your
Location child all day in
assistance and a list of nearby hotels
North Building, Ground floor (Beach) hospital can be
and motels is available from the Ronald exhausting.
McDonald House office or the Family Make sure you
Resource and Respite Centre. take time to look
after yourself.

During your visit
Staff you may meet on every occasion; however, he/she will

still be in charge of your child’s treatment.
The team of staff looking after your If you have any concerns or questions
child will consist of many different about your child’s care, please ask to
health professionals and support staff. speak to the nurse unit manager of the
You may notice that not all staff wear area of your child’s treating doctor.
formal uniform, however, all staff must
Fellows are doctors who have completed
wear an identification badge.
a number of years as a registrar and
Nurses are close to the end of their training
to become a consultant.
Nurse unit managers (NUM) provide
leadership to the nursing team on each Registrars are doctors who are enrolled
ward, and have overall responsibility for in a specialist training program, working
managing the ward Monday to Friday. towards becoming a consultant.
Associate unit managers (AUM) are Residents are qualified doctors who
experienced registered nurses who are are gaining more experience in the
the operational managers for each shift. treatment and management of children.
Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are Support staff
registered nurses who have developed
Administrative staff in many
expert skills in a particular area of
departments have the initial contact
nursing.
with you in the registration of your child,
Care managers are registered nurses either for admission or appointments.
who assist the clinical team in the
Ward clerks assist nursing staff to
coordination of care, communication
maintain the smooth running of the
and support to you and your child.
ward by providing many administrative
Nurse educators/facilitators support and customer service tasks.
nurses to develop specialist skills and
Food monitors collect and deliver your
knowledge.
child’s menu and can advise on meal
Registered nurses are nurses who have choices.
completed a nursing degree.
Food service assistants deliver you
Enrolled nurses have completed a two child’s meals.
year enrolled nurse training course.
Ward service assistants look after the
Doctors housekeeping of the ward.
Consultants are doctors who have Orderlies are members of ward
spent many years training in their area distribution teams who assist staff with
of specialisation. Your child will be positioning and movement of patients,
admitted under the care of a consultant ward equipment and other movement
who will also supervise the resident and around the ward.
registrar. You may not see the consultant

Pharmacists RCH pharmacist Emma Weksler
Pharmacists are qualified professionals
who are part of the health care team.
The pharmacist will look after all
medication matters while your child
is in hospital, and is available to answer
any questions you may have about the
medication your child is prescribed.
Pharmacy Department
9345 5492
Open
8.30am–5.30pm, Monday–Friday
Allied Health
You and your child may meet one or
more of our allied health staff. Some can
be contacted directly for assistance.
Others will require referral from your
child’s doctor.
Dietitians are specialists in the area
of nutrition and its role in health and
disease. Our dietitians are available
to consult on all aspects of infant and
child nutrition including assessment,
recommendations for nutritional
management and implementation of
therapeutic diets within the hospital.
Nutrition and Dietetics
9345 5663
Educational play therapists provide:
ʺͶͶ24//.13Ͷ3.Ͷ'#+/Ͷ!'(+"1#-Ͷ"#5#+./Ͷ2*(++2Ͷ
and strategies to cope with their
condition and time in hospital
ʺͶͶ" #5#+./,#-3+Ͷ/+8Ͷ2#22(.-2Ͷ$.1Ͷ
inpatients. These can be individual
or group-focused at the bedside
or in activity rooms

During your visit
RCH patient Ruby with nurse Jess Taylor (left)

and teacher Chantel Scrimshaw (right)
ʺͶͶ, #"(!+Ͷ/+8Ͷ2#22(.-2Ͷ3.Ͷ++.6Ͷ ʺͶͶ/1.5("#ʳͶ+.-%Ͷ6(3'Ͷ3'#Ͷ"4!3(.-+Ͷ

children to explore and familiarise Resource Centre, an in-house
themselves with some of the medical interactive TV program and procedural
equipment they might see or come preparation material to educate and
in contact with familiarise children and families about
the hospital environment
ʺͶͶ31%#3#"Ͷ/1#/13(.-Ͷ-"Ͷ24//.13Ͷ
before, during and after clinical Educational Play Therapy
or invasive procedures 9345 5424
ʺͶͶ22(23-!#Ͷ3.Ͷ'#+/Ͷ!'(+"1#-Ͷ(-3#1/1#3Ͷ Music therapists are qualified
and make sense of medical professionals who help patients of any
terminology and practice in a age, no matter how unwell, to use music
developmentally-appropriate way as a way of coping with being unwell or
being in hospital. They use activities like
ʺͶͶ/1#˕",(22(.-Ͷ5(2(32Ͷ-"Ͷ/1!3(2#Ͷ
instrument playing, singing, song writing
sessions
and listening to recorded music.
Music Therapy
9345 5421

Social workers offer support childcare, preschool or school in
to families by: conjunction with you, your child,
health care workers and teachers
ʺͶͶ/1.5("(-%Ͷ#,.3(.-+Ͷ24//.13Ͷ"41(-%Ͷ
times of crisis ʺͶͶ!.-24+3Ͷ6(3'Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ˆ2Ͷ+.!+Ͷ
physiotherapist in the metropolitan or
ʺͶͶ!.4-2#++(-%Ͷ/1#-32ʳͶ!'(+"1#-ʳͶ8.4-%Ͷ
rural community
people and other family members
Occupational therapists provide
ʺͶͶ22(23(-%Ͷ6(3'Ͷ!.-!#1-2Ͷ .43Ͷ
specialist assessment and intervention
communication with health care
to maximise a child’s and their family’s
providers
potential for building or recovering
ʺͶͶ+(-*(-%Ͷ$,(+(#2Ͷ3.Ͷ!.,,4-(38Ͷ1#2.41!#2 skills to participate in daily life such as
ʺͶͶ'#+/(-%Ͷ6(3'Ͷ/1#/13(.-Ͷ$.1Ͷ%.(-%Ͷ'.,# self care (bathing, toileting, dressing),
play/leisure and productivity (preschool,
Social Work school and work tasks). We have a
9345 6111 major focus on ensuring inpatients
Audiologists are specialists who can safely return to their home. For
assess how children hear. Early outpatients, our occupational therapists
detection of hearing loss is very provide specialised assessment and
important to a child’s development and short-term goal-oriented interventions
hearing tests can be done on babies to assist children and families to
and children of any age. All healthcare participate in daily tasks. When
professionals and parents can make a appropriate, occupational therapists
referral to Audiology. Referrals can be work closely with community services
made by telephone, fax, email or post. to transition occupational therapy
services from hospital to the
Audiology community setting.
9345 5550
Speech pathologists specialise in
Physiotherapists work in a variety assessing and managing babies,
of areas. They can: children and young people who have
ʺͶͶ22#22Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ˆ2Ͷ/1. +#, speech, language and voice problems
that make communication difficult.
ʺͶͶ"#5#+./ͶͶ2/#!(+Ͷ/1.%1,Ͷ3.Ͷ24(3Ͷ8.41Ͷ
They also assess and treat children
child’s needs
who have problems swallowing food
ʺͶͶ,.-(3.1Ͷ'.6Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ(2Ͷ/1.%1#22(-%Ͷ and drink or who are experiencing
and change the program as necessary feeding difficulties. Your speech
pathologist will work with your health
ʺͶͶ'#+/Ͷ8.4Ͷ4-"#123-"Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ˆ2Ͷ
care team to understand, plan and
problem and teach you skills to help
manage your child’s treatment. Parent tip
your child to perform everyday tasks
Speech Pathology If you’re not
ʺͶͶ#-241#ͶͶ2,..3'Ͷ31-2(3(.-Ͷ$1.,Ͷ sure who’s who,
hospital to home and return to 9345 5540
please ask

During your visit
Orthotists and prosthetists are Integrated Mental Health

qualified health professionals who Program
prescribe, assess, measure/cast,
In addition to Banksia ward, the RCH
fabricate and fit orthoses (braces/
provides a range of specialised mental
supportive devices) and prostheses
health services for children and young
(artificial limbs).
people.
Orthotists and prosthetists at the RCH
Consultation-Liaison team
work with inpatients and outpatients
in acute and rehabilitation areas. They Sometimes children and young people
work closely with other allied health who are in hospital experience
professionals to ensure the devices emotional or behavioural problems
fabricated assist patients and families that may be linked to their medical
to achieve their goals. condition or hospital admission. Your
child’s treating team will make contact
Orthotics and Prosthetics
with the Consultation-Liaison team to
9345 5870
arrange assessment and treatment for
Teachers these difficulties, and arrange ongoing
care or follow-up after discharge.
Teachers and education support
officers work on wards, Specialist Community teams
Clinics and other locations across the Our community clinics in Flemington,
hospital. They create vibrant learning Sunshine and Hoppers Crossing provide
spaces and individualised learning care for children and young people aged
opportunities to assist children and 0–15 years (and their families), who
young people to remain engaged in have significant emotional, social,
learning and connected to their schools behavioural or developmental problems.
during their hospital stay.
Fact sheets on mental health issues for
Education Institute children and adolescents are available
9345 9700 for parents/carers.
Mental Health referrals and
information
1800 44 55 11 (free call)
Mental Health fact sheets
9345 6011

Activities The rooms feature height adjustable
tables and chairs, an education and
Also see Section 2 for information about entertainment system and a wet area
things to do around the new Royal Children’s for art and cooking.
Hospital, such as visiting the meerkats,
bean bag cinema, aquarium or Creature. Clown doctors
Clown doctors visit wards and
Activity rooms Specialist Clinics, up to three days
The inpatient building has a week. They play, tell jokes, and
multi-purpose activity rooms, staffed generally have fun with children,
by educational play therapists, parents and staff.
teachers and volunteers. Each activity
room has been named after the Outdoor spaces
wayfinding theme of the level it is on. The hospital has many gardens, secure
playgrounds and landscaped areas
Level 1 Earth The Cavern for recreation and relaxation. External
Level 2 Forest The Hut doors have been designed so that,
if appropriate, hospital beds can be
Level 3 Tree Tops The Nest
wheeled outside where patients can
Level 4 Mountain The Summit enjoy the outdoors, sunshine and
Tops parkland setting. Ask your nurse if this
may be an option for your child.
‘The Nest’ on Level 3 Tree Tops

During your visit
In-house TV Starlight Express Room

The hospital has an in-house TV The Starlight Express Room is a unique
channel, called ‘RCH TV’, which room full of magic and fun, coordinated
screens children’s programs produced by the ‘Captain Starlight’ team. It is a
by our Educational Resource Centre, safe and friendly space where a range
Educational Play Therapy and of entertainment is provided on a daily
Education Institute. basis for patients and families. Come
and play games, watch movies, create
Going Nuts with Macadamia art, play air hockey, karaoke, see
(Macadamia) is an interactive TV fantastic performances or just relax.
show starring the patients of The Royal Ask our staff about weekly activities.
Children’s Hospital. Check the patient
Starlight Express Room
entertainment and education system
9345 7991
in your room for screening and
filming times. Location
North Building, Ground floor (Beach)
Hospital Lingo and Hospital Match-up
are interactive game shows for patients
and families. To play, ask the ward staff
Education and learning
for a Hospital Lingo playing sheet and support for patients
check the entertainment and education
system for times. Education Institute
The Education Institute works
in collaboration with young people,
Macadamia families, schools and education and
health professionals to ensure that
children and young people continue
to engage in learning and remain
connected to their school community
throughout their health journey.
We create learning environments
across the hospital where children and
adolescents are engaged, interested
and curious, just as they would be if
they were at school.
Teachers are education professionals
registered with the Victorian Institute
of Teaching.
Education Institute
9345 9700

Technology young people across the hospital.
Teachers and education support They promote effective coping through
officers use a range of technologies play, self-expression activities and
to engage young people in the hospital. developmentally-appropriate medical
preparation and education.
These include netbooks, iPads, digital
video cameras, interactive whiteboards Using a variety of cognitive and
and Rockhubs (portable music hubs behavioural distraction strategies,
customised to the hospital setting). educational play therapists can assist
To discuss accessing a netbook or children to prepare and better manage
iPad for patient use, contact a ward- their medical condition, making their
based teacher. hospital experience less stressful.
The team offers a hospital-wide service
Group learning across most wards and Specialist Clinics.
Collaborative learning sessions for Educational Play Therapy
adolescent patients take place every 9345 5424
weekday morning in Kelpie ward. www.rch.org.au/ept
Group learning for primary school-aged
children is also offered. Ask a teacher Comfort Kids
(wearing an orange lanyard) for more
information on times and locations for The Comfort Kids program addresses
group learning activities in the hospital. the procedural pain management
needs of the RCH, providing guidance,
Group projects education, resources and expertise in
Long and short-term patients are the management of children’s comfort,
encouraged to get involved in anxiety and stress before, during and
collaborative learning projects with after procedures/tests. Comfort Kids
other children and young people across works in close partnership with the
the hospital. Innovative tools like nursing team and Educational Play
iPads and netbooks allow students to Therapy.
communicate wirelessly across wards Many children need to have a medical
and collaborate on learning projects. test or a minor procedure such as a blood
test, stitches or injections, which may
Educational Play Therapy cause some discomfort, pain and fear.
The Educational Play Therapy team is
made up of child development experts
who help ensure that life remains as
normal as possible for children and

During your visit
Positioning
ʺͶͶ2*Ͷ($Ͷ8.4Ͷ-"Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ!-Ͷ2(3Ͷ
upright in a chair or on a bed
ʺͶͶ2#ͶͶ'4%%(-%Ͷ'.+"Ͷ3.Ͷ24//.13Ͷ-"Ͷ
comfort your child
Sucrose
Sucrose is a special sugar mix with
water which calms infants up to 18
months of age. It triggers the body to
release its own pain relieving effects.
Distraction
Toys, books, games, TV, DVDs, music,
electronic games, apps and stories all
help reduce anxiety.
Praise
It’s common for children to cry or feel
scared with tests. Praise your child’s
efforts; praise is a powerful tool.
RCH patient Libby with
educational play therapist Amber Hill Breathing
Rehearse big belly breathing with your
child. Ask your child to place their hand
There are things you can do to help
on their belly and take a big breath
your child cope with a procedure.
so their hand moves out. Slowly on
Key points to remember, to help you
a count of three, ask the child to exhale.
and your child:
Repeat before and during the test.
ʺͶͶ1#/13(.-Ͷ'#+/2Ͷ"#!1#2#Ͷ$#1Ͷ.$Ͷ
Please ask our staff for a copy of the fact
unknown equipment or environment.
sheet titled ‘Reduce children’s discomfort
ʺͶͶ#Ͷ'.-#23Ͷ6(3'Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ʲ during tests and procedures’ or visit
ʺͶͶ2*Ͷ23СͶ3.Ͷ#7/+(-Ͷ6'8Ͷ-"Ͷ6'3Ͷ Kids Health Info on our website.
will happen during tests. Comfort Kids
ʺͶͶ2*Ͷ$.1Ͷ"(231!3(.-Ͷ!3(5(38Ͷ$.1Ͷ8.41Ͷ www.rch.org.au/comfortkids
child or if pain relief is available.

Getting ready to go home Discharge information and
follow-up appointments
We try to keep your child’s stay in
When you leave the hospital you
hospital as short as possible and
may need:
encourage you to take your child home
as soon as your child is ready. Should ʺͶͶ2/#!(Т!Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ.1Ͷ$!3Ͷ2'##32Ͷ
you have any transport difficulties please about your child’s ongoing care
talk to the nursing staff, who can direct ʺͶͶͶ$.++.6Ͷ4/Ͷ//.(-3,#-3Ͷ6(3'Ͷ.-#Ͷ
you to the Family Resource and Respite of the hospital doctors or with other
Centre where you can wait in comfort. health care providers
‘Checklist for going home’ ʺͶͶͶ/1#2!1(/3(.-Ͷ$.1Ͷ,#"(!3(.-

envelope ʺͶͶ#04(/,#-3
On admission you should receive an ʺͶͶͶ"(2!'1%#Ͷ24,,18
envelope that will assist you to prepare
for your child’s discharge. On the front ʺͶͶͶ1#$#11+Ͷ3.ͶͶ!.,,4-(38Ͷ2#15(!#
of this envelope there is a checklist of Please ask your child’s nurse or doctor
questions to prompt you to consider about any specific needs or questions
what you may need to organise for your before you leave the ward.
child’s discharge. On the reverse side
of the envelope you can write contact Discharge medications
details and information that you might It is important to find out information
need after going home. The envelope about your child’s medicines:
also provides a simple storage solution
ʺͶͶ'3Ͷ(2Ͷ3'#Ͷ-,#Ͷ.$Ͷ3'#Ͷ,#"(!(-#Ͷ
for information relating to your child’s
and what is it for?
care. If you do not receive an envelope,
please ask your nurse. ʺͶͶ.6Ͷ2'.4+"Ͷ3'#Ͷ,#"(!(-#Ͷ #Ͷ%(5#-ʿ
ʺͶͶ.6Ͷ,4!'ʳͶ'.6Ͷ.$3#-Ͷ-"Ͷ$.1Ͷ
how long?
ʺͶͶ'3Ͷ(2Ͷ3'#Ͷ!'-!#Ͷ.$Ͷ2("#Ͷ#С#!32ʿ
ʺͶͶ'3Ͷ2'.4+"Ͷ6#Ͷ".Ͷ($Ͷ3'#8Ͷ.!!41ʿ
ʺͶͶ'#-Ͷ%.(-%Ͷ'.,#ʳͶ!'#!*Ͷ'.6Ͷ(3Ͷ
should be stored (eg in the fridge) Parent tip
Before taking your
child home, ask
‘who should I
contact when I get
‘Checklist for home if I have
going home’ concerns about
envelope my child?’

RCH patient Sam with mum Alice and
RCH@Home nurse Caroline McInnes
5
Working together
to provide care
The Royal Children’s Hospital
is committed to providing
patient and family-centred
care. We want to work
in partnership with you,
as patients, parents and
carers, to ensure the best
possible outcomes.

Working together to provide care
The Australian Charter For more information on the Australian

Charter of Healthcare Rights, speak to
of Healthcare Rights a staff member, contact the hospital’s
Everyone seeking or receiving care at consumer liaison officer, or visit the
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Australian Commission on Safety and
has certain rights regarding the nature Quality in Health Care website.
of that care. The following seven rights Consumer Liaison Officer
are described in the Australian Charter 9345 5676
of Healthcare Rights:
Australian Commission on Safety
ʺͶͶ!!#22
and Quality in Health Care
ʺͶͶ$#38
www.safetyandquality.gov.au
ʺͶͶ#2/#!3
ʺͶͶ.,,4-(!3(.- What you can expect
ʺͶͶ13(!(/3(.-
ʺͶͶ1(5!8
of us
ʺͶͶ.,,#-3 Best care
The Charter allows patients, families We will:
and staff to share an understanding of
ʺͶͶ/1.5("#Ͷ8.4Ͷ6(3'Ͷ++Ͷ5(+ +#Ͷ'#+3'Ͷ
the rights of people receiving healthcare.
services and care
Patients, families and staff all have an
important part to play in achieving ʺͶͶ(-!+4"#Ͷ8.4Ͷ-"Ͷ8.41Ͷ$,(+8Ͷ(-Ͷ
healthcare rights and contributing decision making about treatment
to a safe and high quality healthcare ʺͶͶ11-%#ͶͶ2#!.-"Ͷ./(-(.-Ͷ($Ͷ2*#"Ͷ3.Ͷ
system. A genuine partnership is do so
important so that everyone achieves
ʺͶͶ/1.5("#Ͷ-Ͷ(-3#1/1#3#1ʳͶ3Ͷ-.Ͷ!'1%#ʳͶ
the best possible outcomes.
if required
Pick up a copy of the brochure, ‘The
ʺͶͶ%(5#Ͷ8.4Ͷ3'#Ͷ!'.(!#Ͷ3.Ͷ #Ͷ(-5.+5#"Ͷ
Australian Charter of Healthcare
in research or training
Rights—a guide for patients and
families’, from the ward, reception ʺͶͶ++.6Ͷ8.4Ͷ3.Ͷ1#$42#Ͷ31#3,#-3Ͷ-"Ͷ
desks, Family Resource and Respite explain the consequences of that
Centre or our website. choice
Respect
We will:
Website
www.rch.org.au ʺͶͶ31#3Ͷ8.4Ͷ6(3'Ͷ"(%-(38ʳͶ!.413#28Ͷ
and respect

ʺͶͶ+(23#-Ͷ3.Ͷ8.41Ͷ./(-(.- ʺͶͶ2*Ͷ8.4Ͷ3.Ͷ3#++Ͷ42Ͷ($Ͷ3'#2#Ͷ3'(-%2Ͷ
have not happened so we can improve
ʺͶͶ++.6Ͷ2.,#.-#Ͷ3.Ͷ"5.!3#Ͷ.-Ͷ8.41Ͷ
our services
behalf if you wish
Information What we expect of you

We will: Staff provide care in the spirit of our
ʺͶͶ%(5#Ͷ8.4Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ .43Ͷ8.4ʳͶ.1Ͷ values, and we expect that these
your child’s healthcare, including values—Unity, Respect, Integrity,
options and possible complications Excellence—are also upheld by all
patients, families and visitors to the RCH.
ʺͶͶ. 3(-Ͷ8.41Ͷ!.-2#-3Ͷ #$.1#Ͷ2313(-%Ͷ
any treatment We want to be sure that we can give
you the best care and treatment.
ʺͶͶ,(-3(-Ͷ8.41Ͷ/1(5!8Ͷ-"Ͷ To do this we expect you will:
confidentiality
ʺͶͶ%(5#Ͷ42Ͷ!!413#Ͷ-"Ͷ3143'$4+Ͷ
ʺͶͶ%(5#Ͷ8.4Ͷ!!#22Ͷ3.Ͷ8.41Ͷ/#12.-+Ͷ-"Ͷ information about you, or your
health information, and change child’s health
details if necessary
Mica

RCH surgeon Michael Nightingale,

anaesthetist Nick Martin and
associate unit manager Annelise Larsson
ʺͶͶ3#++Ͷ42Ͷ($Ͷ-8Ͷ/#12.-+Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ Our aim is to make the RCH a safe,

or health condition changes professional and friendly environment,
ʺͶͶ33#-"Ͷ//.(-3,#-32Ͷ.1Ͷ3#++Ͷ42Ͷ($Ͷ8.4Ͷ so please respect the rights of all those
cannot attend around you. Patients, families, staff and
visitors are expected to:
ʺͶͶ2*Ͷ$.1Ͷ,.1#Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ($Ͷ3'#1#Ͷ(2Ͷ
anything that you don’t understand ʺͶͶ31#3Ͷ++Ͷ/#./+#Ͷ6(3'Ͷ"(%-(38ʳͶ!.413#28Ͷ
and respect
ʺͶͶ$.++.6Ͷ3'#Ͷ(-2314!3(.-2Ͷ$.1Ͷ31#3,#-3Ͷ
or tell us if you decide not to ʺͶͶ #Ͷ2#-2(3(5#Ͷ3.Ͷ3'#Ͷ-##"2Ͷ.$Ͷ.3'#12
ʺͶͶ!!#/3Ͷ3'#Ͷ/.22( +#Ͷ'#+3'Ͷ ʺͶͶ1#2/#!3Ͷ3'#Ͷ/1(5!8Ͷ.$Ͷ.3'#12Ͷ-"Ͷ

consequences if you refuse treatment keep in confidence any information
gained about them
ʺͶͶ1#!.%-(2#Ͷ3'#Ͷ#С#!32Ͷ.$Ͷ8.41Ͷ+($#238+#Ͷ
choices on you, or your child’s health ʺͶͶ-.3Ͷ!!#/3Ͷ.1Ͷ"(2/+8Ͷ #'5(.41Ͷ
or language that may be offensive
ʺͶͶ/1.5("#Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ3'3Ͷ!.4+"Ͷ22(23Ͷ
with your care and treatment ʺͶͶ1#2/#!3Ͷ5(2(3(-%Ͷ'.412Ͷ-"Ͷ #Ͷ,(-"$4+Ͷ
of quiet times

ʺͶͶ1#2/#!3Ͷ3'#Ͷ/1./#138Ͷ.$Ͷ3'#Ͷ Patient identification
ʺͶͶ1#/.13Ͷ3.Ͷ3'#Ͷ'.2/(3+Ͷ23СͶ-8Ͷ4-2$#Ͷ All children in hospital must have
aspects of the environment a patient identification band on their
wrist or ankle. This band should have
ʺͶͶ'.-.41Ͷ3'#Ͷ-.-˕2,.*(-%Ͷ/.+(!8
the name of your child, his/her hospital
Violent, threatening and abusive record number (UR number) and date
behaviour is not acceptable. of birth. If your child doesn’t have one
on, or it has fallen off, please let our
Providing safe care nursing staff know so that it can be
replaced as soon as possible.
Who’s who In addition to checking the patient
Please speak up if you have any identification band, staff will ask you
questions or concerns. It can be to state:
confusing not knowing who is in charge ʺͶͶ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ˆ2Ͷ$4++Ͷ-,#
of your child’s health. Don’t hesitate to
ʺͶͶ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ˆ2Ͷ"3#Ͷ.$Ͷ (13'
ask, ‘Who is who?’ and, in particular,
ʺͶͶ6'3Ͷ8.4Ͷ1#Ͷ'#1#Ͷ$.1
‘Who is in charge?’
These checks must happen before any
Please ask as many questions as you
procedure begins to make sure that the
need about your child’s treatment
right child gets the right care.
and care.
Don’t be alarmed by these questions—
Tests, treatments and procedures the staff need to confirm who your
It is important to understand why a child is.
test, treatment or procedure is needed,
whether medications are being given Prevention of infection
and how they will help your child. Children admitted to hospital could
Tests, treatments and procedures can be exposed to infections by the
sometimes cause distress, pain or procedures/treatments they may
anxiety to children. It is our aim to have, or their condition makes them
reduce this as much as possible. It is susceptible to infection. To reduce
our philosophy that doing a test when this risk, we have many strategies and
a child is distressed is not in the child’s procedures in place, such as appropriate
best interest. As a parent, you can ask cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation
for the test or treatment to be delayed of equipment, management of known Parent tip
or rescheduled. infections, hand hygiene and
If you see anything
environmental cleaning. that causes you
concern about
Infection Control your child’s safety,
9345 5740 please let one of
our staff know

After:
ʺͶͶ!'-%(-%ͶͶ-//8
ʺͶͶ'#+/(-%Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ3.Ͷ42#Ͷ3'#Ͷ3.(+#3
ʺͶͶ42(-%Ͷ3'#Ͷ3.(+#3Ͷ8.412#+$
ʺͶͶ6(/(-%Ͷ8.41Ͷ-.2#Ͷ.1Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"ˆ2Ͷ-.2#
ʺͶͶ3.4!'(-%˙!4""+(-%˙'.+"(-%Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"
ʺͶͶ8.41Ͷ'-"2Ͷ%#3Ͷ"(138
Please discuss with the nursing staff
any signs of infection you may have,
such as diarrhoea, vomiting,
temperature, cough, rash etc. Please
also inform staff if you or your child has
had contact with someone who has an
Hand hygiene infection eg chicken pox.
Doctors, nurses and other health care
workers should wash their hands before Falls
and after each patient contact. It is the
Falls in children are not uncommon.
policy of the RCH to practise hand
While in hospital, please remember to
hygiene and for all staff to inform
use bed or cot sides at all times. If you
visitors to perform hand hygiene.
are unsure of how to use the bed or cot
To promote hand hygiene, an alcohol- sides, please ask the staff to show you.
based gel is provided in the wards. This
gel can kill germs without the use of Supervision
water. Parents and visitors are
The hospital is an unfamiliar place for
encouraged to use the gel. Spread the
children. Please don’t let your children
gel over the surfaces of both hands and
wander around the wards or hospital
allow to dry (15 seconds). It may be used
unsupervised. Let the staff know when
instead of washing your hands with
soap and water. If your hands are you are leaving the ward and ensure
visibly dirty, do not use the gel, use visiting children are always supervised.
soap and water.
Balloons
When to wash your hands Latex (rubber) balloons can cause
Before: serious injury, such as choking, eye
Parent tip injuries, allergies and strangulation.
ʺͶͶ#-3#1(-%ͶͶ'.2/(3+Ͷ61"
All parents, These are not permitted on the wards.
patients and ʺͶͶ/1#/1(-%Ͷ-"Ͷ#3(-%Ͷ$.."
Foil balloons are allowed on the ward,
carers may ask ʺͶͶ 1#23$##"(-%
staff members, but the string must be no longer than
ʺͶͶ$##"(-%ͶͶ!'(+" 30 centimetres (the length of a ruler).
‘Have you washed
your hands?’ ʺͶͶ%(5(-%Ͷ,#"(!3(.-Ͷ3.ͶͶ!'(+"
ʺͶͶ3.4!'(-%˙!4""+(-%˙'.+"(-%Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"

Hot liquids Contact us for more information or to find
Hot liquids can burn, so please do not out how you may be able to get involved.
have hot drinks near children. When FAC email
carrying hot liquids, please use a cup fac@rch.org.au
with a lid on.
Community Advisory Committee
Spills The Community Advisory Committee
Spills on the floor can cause falls, (CAC), made up of members
so please tell a staff member if you representing the RCH community,
see a spill. provides advice to the RCH Board
and Executive about ways to engage
Consumer participation consumers, carers and community
in aspects of planning and service
At The Royal Children’s Hospital delivery. The Community Advisory
(RCH), consumers are represented Committee recognises that it is
by three groups—our Community children and adolescents who are
Advisory Committee, Family Advisory primarily the consumers at the RCH.
Council and Youth Advisory Council.
Youth Advisory Council
Family Advisory Council The Youth Advisory Council, also
The Family Advisory Council (FAC) is a known as Youth at the Kids, or Y@K,
group of parents, carers and supporting is a group of young people that comes
staff that works in partnership with the together to share ideas and advice
hospital to promote, support and about how to make the RCH a better
improve patient and familycentred care. place for all children, young people,
The Family Advisory Council is a busy families and staff.
and enthusiastic team, working in a Y@K members are passionate young
truly collaborative partnership with the people, between 12 and 20 years old,
hospital, to turn patient and family- who use their own experiences of
centred care principles into practice. the hospital to help improve others.
On page 70, the Family Advisory Council Members are, or have been, inpatients,
offers some useful tips for parents, outpatients, siblings or friends of
carers and families, as they have all been patients.
through the hospital experience before. To get involved or find out more
As we settle into the new hospital, information, visit our website or ask
there’s sure to be more tips to offer. one of our staff.
Website
www.rch.org.au/yac

Your experience—every Sometimes this can be difficult,

therefore the RCH has a consumer
patient, every family, liaison officer, who is the dedicated
every time point of contact to help parents,
families and visitors with their
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) concerns.
recognises the value of feedback, both
positive and negative. All feedback Please provide your feedback by
is reviewed as an opportunity for completing the consumer feedback
improvement and we encourage all form on opposite page. Alternatively
patients and families to discuss any you can email or send a letter with your
concerns they have about the care they feedback to the consumer liaison officer.
received, the level of customer service, Consumer Liaison Officer
the facilities and staff members. We Quality Unit
strive to ensure that children and their
families receive quality care at all times. The Royal Children’s Hospital
50 Flemington Road, Parkville,
Who can I contact? Victoria 3052
Wherever possible we encourage Telephone
you to resolve your concerns directly 9345 5676
with the ward, department or nurse
Email
unit manager.
clo@rch.org.au
RCH patient Mia and brother Theo

Consumer feedback form
Your feedback is very welcome and encouraged.
About you
Surname
First name
Address
State Postcode
Contact numbers H ( ) W( ) Mobile
Do you require an interpreter? Yes No If yes, which language?
About the patient (only complete this section if you are feeding back on behalf of someone else)
Name
Date of birth
UR number (if known)
Patient registration Public Private
The person/department/ward you are providing feedback about

Person(s)
Department and/or ward
Send completed form to Consumer Liaison Officer, Quality Unit

The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052
Email clo@rch.org.au
Your feedback (If the space here is not adequate, please attach a letter outlining your feedback)
If your feedback is a concern, what outcome are you seeking?
Signature Date

RCH patient Bella
6
Helpful resources
and facilities
Some families visit The Royal
Children’s Hospital for a
day, others may need to
stay a number of days,
so it’s important to know
about useful resources and
facilities you can access.

Helpful resources and facilities

ʺͶͶ 42(-#22Ͷ!#-31#˗(-3#1-#3ʳͶ#,(+Ͷ
access, faxing, copying and scanning
documents
ʺͶͶ4(#3Ͷ1..,Ͷ$.1Ͷ2+##/(-%Ͷ.1Ͷ/1(53#Ͷ
rest periods
ʺͶͶ1(53#Ͷ!4 (!+#2Ͷ$.1Ͷ 1#23$##"(-%Ͷ
or expressing breast milk
ʺͶͶ.(+#32
ʺͶͶ 8Ͷ!'-%#Ͷ$!(+(3(#2
ʺͶͶ ##3(-%Ͷ1..,
ʺͶͶ(3!'#-Ͷ-"Ͷ,#+2Ͷ1#
ʺͶͶ.!*#12Ͷ-"Ͷ"8Ͷ23.1%#Ͷ$.1Ͷ+1%#Ͷ
The main information desk is located bags and suitcases
in Main Street on Ground floor (Beach), ʺͶͶ(1#!3Ͷ!!#22Ͷ3.Ͷ3'#Ͷ1#3Ͷ1"#-Ͷ
near the main hospital entrance on Court outdoor children’s playground
Flemington Road.
ʺͶͶ . (+#Ͷ3#+#/'.-#Ͷ!'1%#12
For a range of fact sheets about medical
ʺͶͶ 1.-(-%Ͷ .1"ʳͶ(1.-Ͷ-"Ͷ2#6(-%Ͷ*(3
conditions, procedures and hospital
services, visit Kids Health Info on our ʺͶͶ( 118˗++Ͷ%#2˗ .11.6(-%Ͷ$!(+(3(#2
website. ʺͶͶ!!#22Ͷ3.Ͷ#-31#+(-*Ͷ-"ͶТ--!(+Ͷ
Website counselling
www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo ʺͶͶ.13 +#ͶͶ/+8#12Ͷ-"Ͷ2Ͷ
for loan to inpatients
Family Resource and ʺͶͶ(%(3+Ͷ!,#1Ͷ-"Ͷ/'.3.Ͷ/1(-3(-%˗
Respite Centre for loan to inpatients
ʺͶͶͶ,#1%#-!8Ͷ!1#Ͷ .7#2Ͷ6(3'Ͷ(3#,2Ͷ
The Family Resource and Respite such as toiletries and clothing
Centre provides a quiet, friendly,
relaxing area within the hospital for ʺͶͶ /2Ͷ-"Ͷ2'.//(-%Ͷ%4("#2
families and carers, away from the Telephone
bustle, noise and stress of the hospital 9345 4662
environment. It is a non-clinical area of
Location
the hospital and provides the following
resources and services:
Opening hours
ʺͶͶ#!#/3(.-Ͷ1#ʳͶ23С#"Ͷ 8Ͷ5.+4-3##12 9am–8pm, Monday–Friday
ʺͶͶ.4-%#Ͷ1# 10.30am–3.30pm, Saturday–Sunday

A–Z of resources areas, in both female and male toilets.
A sign on the door identifies these. There
and facilities are also baby change tables in the Family
Resources and Respite Centre in the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait North Building, Ground floor (Beach).
Islander health resources
Wadja Aboriginal Family Place staff Baby feeding
are available to provide social, cultural There is a baby feeding room in Main
and emotional support during your Street, Ground floor (Beach), near the
child’s admission and treatment. retail pharmacy. The Family Resource
The Wadja Health Clinic is a weekly and Respite Centre has two privacy
cubicles for feeding infants.
general medical clinic that provides
medical, social, cultural and emotional
Breastfeeding
care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children and adolescents Parent Rooms are located at the entry
to each inpatient ward and in other
Telephone public areas of the hospital. Comfortable
9345 6111 recliner chairs, and baby change and
Location hand washing facilities are provided
North Building, Ground floor (Beach) in each room. Parents who require
access to breast pumps can ask a staff
Adolescent health member at the nearest inpatient ward.
The RCH Centre for Adolescent Health
Cashier
provides health care for people aged 12
to 18 years, and their families, through There may be some services, equipment
inpatient and outpatient services. or medication that your child requires
that incur a cost. If you receive an
RCH Centre for Adolescent Health account, this payment can be made
9345 6180 at the Cashier.
Location Cashier
East Building, Level 1 (Earth), 9345 5963
Reception D
Location
Automatic teller machine (ATM) Main Street, Ground floor (Beach)
There is an ATM in Main Street, Certificate
Ground floor (Beach).
If you require a certificate of attendance
Baby change rooms for your place of work or your child’s
childcare centre or school, please ask
Baby change tables are located on each
our staff.
ward and in many of the public toilet

Chaplains Child health information

Pastoral and Spiritual Care offers The RCH Shop and Kids Health Info
support for individuals and families. provides a range of information for
The care offered is non-religious, parents and children regarding health
unless specifically requested. Support information, support groups, and safety
is available 24 hours a day. around the home. It also provides:
Chaplains can be useful support: ʺͶͶ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ-"Ͷ"5(!#Ͷ3.Ͷ/1#-32Ͷ-"Ͷ
ʺͶͶ(,/+8Ͷ #(-%Ͷ6(3'Ͷ8.4Ͷ-"Ͷ+(23#-(-%Ͷ families
during times of stress, trauma or grief ʺͶͶ3#+#/'.-#Ͷ"5(2.18Ͷ2#15(!#Ͷ
ʺͶͶ#+/(-%Ͷ8.4Ͷ!!#22Ͷ/#12.-+Ͷ2.41!#2Ͷ (see contact information below)
of strength ʺͶͶ!.-"4!32Ͷ#"4!3(.-Ͷ/1.%1,2Ͷ-"Ͷ
ʺͶͶ *(-%ͶͶ1#$#11+Ͷ3.Ͷ$(3'Ͷ services
communities or clergy, if desired ʺͶͶ2#++2Ͷ51(.42Ͷ2$#38Ͷ/1."4!32
ʺͶͶ1.5("(-%Ͷ/18#1Ͷ-"Ͷ1(34+Ͷ.1Ͷ.3'#1Ͷ ʺͶͶ2#++2Ͷ ..*2ʳͶ/,/'+#32Ͷ-"Ͷ/1."4!32Ͷ
spiritual support relating to a wide range of health topics
Prayer and Meditation – Murrup Biik ʺͶͶ,(-3(-2ͶͶ+(23Ͷ.$Ͷ51(.42Ͷ24//.13Ͷ%1.4/2
is a calm welcoming space for prayer, RCH Shop and Kids Health Info
meditation or quiet reflection for 9345 6429
people of all faiths, or none. The space
Location
also includes a serene outdoor area.
Main Street, Ground floor (Beach)
Chaplain
Telephone Advisory Service
9345 5522 (via RCH switchboard)
9345 5085
Location
North Building, Ground floor (Beach) Consumer Liaison Officer
We encourage you to resolve your
Chemist (retail) concerns directly with the ward,
Telephone department or nurse unit manager.
9345 6500 Sometimes this can be difficult,
Location therefore the RCH has a consumer
Main Street, Ground floor (Beach) liaison officer, who is the dedicated
point of contact to help parents,
Open families and visitors with their concerns.
8.30am–6pm, Monday–Friday
9am–3pm, Saturday Consumer Liaison Officer
9345 5676
clo@rch.org.au
Available
Monday–Friday

Developmental Disability services Prayer and Meditation – Murrup Biik
The RCH recognises that children with
developmental disabilities often have
additional needs. If you require
assistance to navigate outpatient or
inpatient care at the RCH for a child
with a developmental disability, please
contact Developmental Medicine.
Developmental Medicine
9345 5898
Equipment Distribution Centre

The Equipment Distribution Centre
provides equipment for hire and
products for sale. Please ask our staff
about our range of products.
Equipment Distribution Centre
9345 5325
Location
North Building, Basement 2,
via green lifts Fire or emergency
Available In the event of a fire or emergency,
8.30am–4.30pm, Monday–Friday please follow the direction and
instructions of staff.
Family Resource and Respite
Centre Freedom of information
This facility, in the North Building on Although patient medical records
Ground floor (Beach), offers a quiet remain the property of the hospital, they
space for families and carers of inpatients can be accessed under the Freedom of
and outpatients to take a break or access Information Act, 1982. For information,
many useful resources and services. ask a staff member or contact the RCH
See page 62 for more information. Freedom of Information Office.
Freedom of Information Office
9345 5156

Immunisation Clinic Infection control

The Immunisation Clinic is a drop-in Information about infections,
centre; no appointment is necessary. preventing infection and infectious
diseases can be obtained from the ward
The service provides immunisations
nurses or doctors.
and advice to all parents and children
visiting the hospital. The service Infection Control enquiries
operates free-of-charge and the only 9345 5740
charges are for non-routine vaccinations.
Interpreter Services
Immunisation Clinic
9345 6399 A confidential interpreter service is
available 24 hours, seven days a week.
Location Ask our staff to arrange an interpreter
Main Street, Ground floor (Beach) for you.
Open Interpreter Services
9am–4.30pm, Monday–Friday 9345 5998
Location
North Building, Ground Floor (Beach)
Wayfinding illustration – Ground floor Beach

Lost property Mobile telephones
The RCH is not responsible for any loss Mobile telephones can interfere with
or theft of patient or visitor property. vital hospital equipment, so you will be
Lost property at the hospital is managed asked to turn off your telephone when
by Security. entering all ward areas and Emergency.
Should you need to use your telephone,
Lost property enquiries
ask staff for an alternate area where you
9347 4018
can do this. There is a small selection
Location of mobile telephone chargers available
Security, East Building, Lower Ground at the Family Resource and Respite
(Underwater), next to Emergency Centre in the North Building on Ground
floor (Beach).

Parent lounge Personal Care Suite

A parent lounge is located on each level This is an area where families can attend
of the inpatient building and provides to the personal care needs of their child.
a shared space for parents, carers and It also provides shower facilities.
immediate family members of patients. Location
The Family Resource and Respite North Building, Ground floor (Beach),
Centre is also available for families. in the family precinct opposite the
Parent pagers
You may be required to wait while your Security
child undergoes a surgical procedure or Every effort is made to provide a safe
some medical tests as an inpatient. and secure environment for staff,
Parent pagers are available so you can patients, families and visitors. Tell
leave the area to have a meal or take a staff member if you have any safety
a break, so please ask ward staff. concerns and they will contact Security.

Security control room on all levels of the hospital. The Personal
East Building, Lower Ground Care Suite in the family precinct in the
(Underwater), next to Emergency North Building, Ground floor (Beach)
Telephone offers additional care facilities.
9347 4018 (24 hours)
Transport assistance
Smoking The Victorian Patient Transport
Smoking is not permitted at the Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) subsidises
hospital, including outdoors. the travel and accommodation costs
incurred by rural Victorians and, if
Support groups appropriate, their escorts, who have
no option but to travel a long distance
An extensive list is available from the
RCH Shop and Kids Health Info or on to receive approved medical specialist
our website. services. For more information, ask
our staff or visit the Department of
RCH Shop and Kids Health Info Health website.
9345 6429
Website
Location www.health.vic.gov.au/ruralhealth/
Main Street, Ground floor (Beach) vptas/patients
Website
www.rch.org.au Facilities outside the
Telephones hospital
External telephone calls cannot be Banks
made from inpatient room telephones. Banks are located in Errol Street, North
However, you are able to receive Melbourne, which is about a 15 minute
incoming calls. Public telephones are walk from the hospital.
located in Main Street and Emergency.
Internal telephone calls can be made Mailbox
from inpatient rooms and the Family An Australia Post mailbox is located
Resource and Respite Centre, located in on Flemington Road near the hospital.
the North Building, Ground floor (Beach).
To make a call to a hospital number, Post offices
dial the last five digits of that number. The Royal Women’s Hospital
(corner Flemington Road and
Toilets Grattan Street, Parkville)
Public toilets are located in all areas Telephone 9342 8788
of the hospital. Accessible toilets for
people with disabilities are located 69 Fitzgibbon Street, Parkville
Telephone 9347 4663

Tips from parents ʺͶͶ.-ˆ3Ͷ#3Ͷ$.."Ͷ1.4-"Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ

when they are fasting.
to parents
ʺͶͶ1#22Ͷ!.,$.13 +8Ͷ($Ͷ8.4Ͷ1#Ͷ238(-%Ͷ
ʺͶͶ#,#, #1Ͷ3.Ͷ2*Ͷ+.32Ͷ.$Ͷ04#23(.-2Ͷ with your child overnight.
and ask for help if you need it.
The staff are here to help you. The ʺͶͶ'#1#Ͷ1#Ͷ2.!(+Ͷ6.1*#12Ͷ.-Ͷ2(3#Ͷ
hospital values your input and sees to help you if you need it.
you as an important part of the team ʺͶͶ'#Ͷ/1*Ͷ #'(-"Ͷ3'#Ͷ'.2/(3+Ͷ(2Ͷ1#++8Ͷ
caring for your child. big and great for walks, kites, footy,
ʺͶͶ $Ͷ8.4ʳͶ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ.1Ͷ2( +(-%2Ͷ picnics etc. If you’re close enough
have allergies or special dietary you can take a pager, or have your
requirements, it’s a good idea to mobile nearby so you can always be
bring in some of their special foods. contactable.
ʺͶͶ2*Ͷ8.41Ͷ-412(-%Ͷ23СͶ.1Ͷ".!3.1Ͷ3.Ͷ ʺͶͶ $Ͷ8.4Ͷ-##"Ͷ3.Ͷ'5#ͶͶ 1#*Ͷ3.Ͷ

introduce you to families who have do things off the ward, there are
been through this before. You are volunteers who can keep your child
not alone. company, just ask.
Wayfinding illustration –Level 3 Tree Tops

ʺͶͶ1#-3Ͷ/%#12Ͷ1#Ͷ5(+ +#Ͷ2.Ͷ8.4Ͷ!-Ͷ ʺͶͶ $Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ'2Ͷ3.Ͷ'5#Ͷ-Ͷ Ͷ.1ͶͶ
wait for an appointment in the many port, bring bigger than normal pyjama
areas around the hospital. Just ask tops because they won’t fit under
one of the nurses if you can have one. tight ones.
They beep you when they are ready
ʺͶͶ'#1#ˆ2Ͷ2.,#Ͷ%.."Ͷ2'.//(-%Ͷ(-Ͷ
for you.
the local areas. Lots of us have found
ʺͶͶ '#Ͷ-412#2Ͷ1#ͶͶ%1#3Ͷ2.41!#Ͷ.$Ͷ the shopping centre at Barkly Square
knowledge. They even know the local in Brunswick really good (see map
take away restaurants and cafes. on the inside back cover for the
exact location).
ʺͶͶ $Ͷ8.4Ͷ-##"Ͷ3.Ͷ".Ͷ62'(-%ʳͶ3'#1#Ͷ1#Ͷ
washing machines available, just ask
for the location of the nearest machine.

RCH patient Chloe
7
Supporting
the RCH
Learn about the many ways
you can help The Royal
Children’s Hospital.

Supporting the RCH
Volunteering Good Friday Appeal

Today there are more than 300 people The Good Friday Appeal is close to the
who volunteer at The Royal Children’s hearts of Victorians, bringing together
Hospital (RCH) in various roles. Many people from all walks of life in the
aspects of the volunteer service have common quest to help the hospital’s
changed over the years, however the sick children. The Appeal’s strength
tradition of providing support for lies in the thousands of volunteers who
families and patients continues. give their time, expertise and creativity
Volunteer Service to ensure fundraising success—and
9345 5880 the rewards are great. There are many
www.rch.org.au/volunteers ways individuals, groups and businesses
can become involved with the Good
Friday Appeal. Call or visit the website
The Royal Children’s for more information.
Hospital Foundation Good Friday Appeal
The RCH Foundation gives the whole 9292 1166
community a chance to care for www.goodfridayappeal.com.au
Victoria’s children. By supporting
important equipment, pioneering Auxiliaries
research, leadership and training,
and patient and family-centred care, The RCH Auxiliaries support our
donations to the Foundation help hospital. Made up of community groups
improve the lives of children and including like-minded business people,
their families. parents, students, young people and
senior citizens, the Auxiliaries work
There are many simple ways to give
on a wide variety of creative projects
a gift or raise funds that will help the
and raise funds in many ways across
hospital, and every little bit of support
Melbourne and Victoria. Contact the
helps. For more information about how
RCH Auxiliaries for more information
donated funds assist the RCH to provide
about joining or supporting one of the
world-class care for our children,
Auxiliary groups.
fundraising opportunities, or to make
a donation, visit the website or drop RCH Auxiliaries
in to the RCH Foundation office. 9345 5188
www.rch.org.au/rchaux
RCH Foundation
9345 5037
www.rchfoundation.org.au
Location
West Building, Level 4 (Mountain
Tops), via the yellow lifts

Welcome
to The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
Ground floor
Starlight
Express
Room Bean Bag Personal
Cinema Care Suite NORTH BUILDING
Prayer & Wadja

Family Meditation Aboriginal
Resource and – Murrup Family
Respite Biik Place
Centre
Interpreter &
Green lifts NESB Services
Great Garden Court to wards
and Playground
Café
Immunisation
Dental Clinic
Clinic
RCH Shop and MAIN STREET Specialist Clinics –

Kids Health Info
Reception A1 to A6
Fundraising stalls
Creature Personal Care Suite
Retail
pharmacy Car park payment machine
Cashier
Ella Latham Pharmacy
Auditorium ATM
Yellow lifts
Public telephones
Information Aquarium
Parents’ desk
Room
Stairs to Emergency
Main
Entry 1 entry
to car park
MCRI White lifts
Reception
Taxi
y
nc
ge
er
Fle
SOUTH BUILDING
Em
m
in
To
gt
Tr
on
am
Ro
s5
ad
5a
nd
59
(s
Entry 2
to
p1
to car park
9)
and Emergency
key of symbols
Male/female & accessible toilet
& baby change Shop
Stairs
Food
Not to scale
J^[HeoWb9^_bZh[dÊi>eif_jWb
+&<b[c_d]jedHeWZFWhal_bb[L_Yjeh_W7kijhWb_W
telephone!,')/)*+++((
mmm$hY^$eh]$Wk
Car parking H[Y[fj_edZ[iai

;dj[hj^[YWhfWhal_W;djho'b[\jjkhdedboeh;djho(b[\jWdZh_]^j reception area building level / theme lift
jkhd"<b[c_d]jedHeWZ
Ground 8[WY^
9Wh"Z_iWXb[ZWdZcejehX_a[fWha_d]_iWlW_bWXb[edb[l[bi8'"8(WdZ8) A1–A6 If[Y_Wb_ij9b_d_Yi ;Wij
e\\CW_dIjh[[j
–
FWoc[djckijX[cWZ[Wjed[e\j^[fWoc[djcWY^_d[iX[\eh[ B 7bb_[Z>[Wbj^ ;Wij Level 1 ;Whj^ =h[[d
oekh[jkhdjeoekhYWh"beYWj[ZWj0 If[Y_Wb_ij9b_d_Yi
C ;Wij Level 1 ;Whj^ O[bbem
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ÅO[bbemb_\jbeXXo"8Wi[c[dj'"(WdZ)
E :Wo9WdY[h9Wh[ M[ij Level 2 <eh[ij =h[[d
JhWci F :WoC[Z_YWb9Wh[ M[ij Level 2 <eh[ij O[bbem
JhWci+/WdZ++ijefekji_Z[j^[cW_d[djhWdY[jej^[êif_jWb Fh_lWj[9edikbj_d]%
G M[ij Level 2 <eh[ij O[bbem
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\hecj^[h[jW_bf^WhcWYo_dCW_dIjh[[j$ Fh_lWj[9edikbj_d]%
H M[ij Level 2 <eh[ij O[bbem
If[Y_Wb_ij9b_d_Yi
MWhZi J Ikh][ho ;Wij Level 3 Jh[[Jefi O[bbem
;WY^b[l[be\j^[H9>_ij^[c[Z$;WY^mWhZ_idWc[ZW\j[hWdWd_cWb
ehÔem[hj^Wjh[bWj[ijej^[j^[c[e\j^[b[l[b_j_ied$
level theme & ward name theme

Gk_Yah[\[h[dY[
5 Iao area building level / theme lift
8kjj[hÔoÅD[mXehd?dj[di_l[9Wh[ Allied Health – Reception B ;Wij Level 1 =h[[d

;Whj^
Day Cancer Care – Reception E M[ij Level 2 O[bbem
<eh[ij
4 CekdjW_dJefi
FbWjofkiÅIkh]_YWb9Wh[ Day Medical Care – Reception F M[ij Level 2 O[bbem
<eh[ij
9eYaWjeeÅIkh]_YWbWdZD[khe9Wh[
Equipment Distribution Centre Dehj^ Basement 2 =h[[d
3 Jh[[Jefi
Formula Room Dehj^ Basement 2 =h[[d
AeWbWÅ9WhZ_WYIkh][ho
Hei[bbWÅ?dj[di_l[9Wh[
Foundation and Auxiliaries M[ij Level 4 O[bbem
FeiikcÅIkh]_YWbIêhjIjWo;Wij8k_bZ_d] CekdjW_dJefi
2 <eh[ij Health Education and M[ij Level 1 O[bbem

Learning Precinct ;Whj^
AeeaWXkhhWÅ9WdY[h9Wh[
Ik]Wh=b_Z[hÅC[Z_YWb9Wh[ Laboratories – MCRI ;Wij Level 4 =h[[d
CekdjW_dJefi
& Level 5 Iao
1 ;Whj^ Laboratories – RCH ;Wij Level 4 =h[[d
A[bf_[Å7Zeb[iY[djWdZH[^WX_b_jWj_ed9Wh[ CekdjW_dJefi
8Wdai_WÅC[djWb>[Wbj^ Medical Imaging ;Wij Lower Ground =h[[d
KdZ[hmWj[h
G 8[WY^ Murdoch Childrens Research M[ij Ground M^_j[
Institute – main reception 8[WY^
New Mothers’ Accommodation ;Wij Level 2 =h[[d
<eh[ij
LG KdZ[hmWj[h Overnight Accommodation ;Wij Level 2 =h[[d
:ebf^_dÅC[Z_YWbIêhjIjWo;Wij8k_bZ_d] <eh[ij
Security ;Wij Lower Ground M^_j[
KdZ[hmWj[h
B1 KdZ[h]hekdZ Surgery – Reception J ;Wij Level 3 O[bbem

B2 Jh[[Jefi
B3 The University of Melbourne M[ij Level 2 M^_j[
Department of Paediatrics <eh[ij
''(''+
Map of local area
Barkly Square
Shopping Centre
N Barkly St
Not to scale
Brunswick Rd
Park St
To
Royal Park
Train Station
Air
po
rt
Pop
lar Rd
Flemington Bridge
Train Station
Tram 55
The Avenue
Zoological
Gardens
Princes
Macarthur Rd Park
ve
Elliott A
Royal Park
PARKVILLE
Fl
em
in
gt
on
The Royal
Rd
Children’s
NORTH Hospital
Royal Pde
MELBOURNE
St
e
us
Tr
ho
am
te
Tram 57
55
Ga
Lygon St
&
59 Royal The University
The Royal of Melbourne
Women’s Melbourne
Hospital Hospital
St
er
rk
Ha
rd St
St
Tram 19
Dryburgh
Abbotsfo
Curzon St
Errol St
Grattan St
St
yn
Arden St
ck
re
CARLTON
W
Swanston St
Peel St
Queensbe
Eliza
rry St
beth
strip
St
shopping
CBD
Victoria St
Sp Queen
en
North Melbourne ce Victoria
rS
Train Station t Market
The Royal Children’s Hospital
50 Flemington Road, Parkville
Victoria 3052 Australia
telephone + 61 3 9345 5522
www.rch.org.au
ERC 111670 Stock number 316509

Your Guide To RCH

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Your Guide

For patients, families and visitors edition 1 november 2011

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 3

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) With a passionate, highly-skilled and

4 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 5

Photo: John Gollings

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 7

Wayﬁnding illustration – Level 4 Mountain Tops

8 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Level Theme Region of Victoria

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 9

Creature in Main Street

10 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

It is also a key element of ‘pARTicipate’,

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 11

Wayﬁnding illustration – Level 5 Sky

12 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 13

Specialist Clinics sweeping lawn area and an amphitheatre

14 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 15

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 17

How to get to The Royal Disabled parking

18 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

RCH patient Rekisha

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 19

Getting ready to come What to bring

20 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 21

GP/family doctor Then, we can check we have the

22 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Planned admissions Postponement of surgery

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 23

Knowing what to expect Our staff

24 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

A teaching hospital Our research

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 25

26 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 27

Main Street, with Creature

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 29

If your child is coming Children’s Pain Management

30 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 31

32 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 33

When you turn up for your appointment,

Photo: Shannon McGrath

Waiting for your appointment In your appointment

34 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 35

Life on the ward

Level Theme Ward

Wayﬁnding illustration – Level 1 Earth

36 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne | 37

Breastfeeding mothers of infants under Washing facilities

In-room fridge Accommodation for

38 | Your guide to The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Photo: Shannon McGrath

There is also limited parent Ronald McDonald House

ʺͶͶ, #"(!+Ͷ/+8Ͷ2#22(.-2Ͷ3.Ͷ++.6Ͷ ʺͶͶ/1.5("#ʳͶ+.-%Ͷ6(3'Ͷ3'#Ͷ"4!3(.-+Ͷ

‘Checklist for going home’ ʺͶͶͶ/1#2!1(/3(.-Ͷ$.1Ͷ,#"(!3(.-

ʺͶͶ3#++Ͷ42Ͷ($Ͷ-8Ͷ/#12.-+Ͷ(-$.1,3(.-Ͷ Our aim is to make the RCH a safe,

ʺͶͶ!!#/3Ͷ3'#Ͷ/.22( +#Ͷ'#+3'Ͷ ʺͶͶ1#2/#!3Ͷ3'#Ͷ/1(5!8Ͷ.$Ͷ.3'#12Ͷ-"Ͷ

Tips from parents ʺͶͶ.-ˆ3Ͷ#3Ͷ$.."Ͷ1.4-"Ͷ8.41Ͷ!'(+"Ͷ

ʺͶͶ2Ͷ8.41Ͷ-412(-%Ͷ23СͶ.1Ͷ".!3.1Ͷ3.Ͷ ʺͶͶ $Ͷ8.4Ͷ-##"Ͷ3.Ͷ'5#ͶͶ 1#Ͷ3.Ͷ

Wayﬁnding illustration –Level 3 Tree Tops

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JhWci F :WoC[Z_YWb9Wh[ M[ij Level 2 <eh[ij O[bbem

8kjj[hÔoÅD[mXehd?dj[di_l[9Wh[ Allied Health – Reception B ;Wij Level 1 =h[[d