November 2004

Hospitals share care of children

Latrobe Regional Hospital is well-prepared to care for children who are acutely ill and returning to the Gippsland area following treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

In the special Shared Care program, the Royal Children’s tells Latrobe Regional when a child is discharged after treatment.

The Children’s provides details about the child’s condition and a management plan to assist local staff if the child should present to Latrobe Regional.

Knowing that a child with special medical needs is returning to the area, the Latrobe Regional can ensure it is prepared in terms of equipment or medication requirements.

The management plan provided by Royal Children’s is tailored to the needs of the individual child and ensures care is appropriate and consistent between the two hospitals.

Consistency is also aided by the Shared Care Manual, that provides information to Latrobe staff about common Royal Children’s procedures so the child is receiving familiar care and parents do not have to repeat the child’s details to different health care workers.

Parents can feel assured that Latrobe Regional is receiving correct and accurate information about their child’s condition.

Latrobe Regional has the contact details of the Royal Children’s management team and is able to consult about care at any time.

Having the right care available locally also means the stress and inconvenience of unnecessary trips to Melbourne can be avoided.