Fact sheet for parents/carers in Hunter Baillie - Long Term Ventilation Unit

This fact sheet will help understand the different people in the team caring for your child while in hospital at Westmead Children’s Hospital. These positions do not exist out of the Westmead catchment area. There may be different personnel in other Area Health Services who may be able to assist you.  

Nursing Unit Manager

• Oversees the nurses caring for your child – Registered Nurses, Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing
• Organises equipment and supplies you will need while you are in the ward
• Takes part in family meetings
• Works with the Clinical Nurse Educator, to ensure your nurses have been trained with all the skills they need to look after your child
• Manages concerns, issues, or questions  related to nursing staff or  day- to-day care of your child

Case Manager

• Contact person for families in the hospital and after discharge.
• Contact person with Enable NSW, and teams involved in the care of your child.
• Helps with paperwork and application forms as required.
• Helps with discharge and arranging a local hospital, GP and community team/case worker to care for your child.
• Gives information to families, pre-school and other community teams about your child’s condition and ways to help at home and in the community.
• Helps to co-ordinate appointments while in the hospital.

Respiratory Support Service Clinical Nurse Consultant (<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />CNC)

• Helps to develop and manage your child’s care whilst they are in the hospital.
• Helps to plan discharge and support you and your family will need at home.
• Ongoing development of education for staff caring for your child within the Children’s Hospital.
• Provides education for you in caring for your child’s special needs
• Develops education for carers and the community for when the child is home.
• Ensures follow up at the appropriate times for discharged patients.
• Supports patients and families in obtaining services such as respite, education and recreation.

Registered Nurse

• To provide care to children and their families within the multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinates the care of the children, working with the Assistant in Nursing.
• Involved in the education and support to the Assistants in Nursing and new staff within the unit.

Assistant in Nursing (AIN)

• Works with the Registered Nursing staff in providing care to the children and their families
• Works with the Allied Health Team and assists children/families with therapy sessions.
• Assist children/families with home visits
• Provide a reassuring presence to children during medical procedures.
• Organise children and equipment for outings.
• General duties of the ward; re-stocking supplies; completion of charts etc.

Physiotherapist

• Provide chest physiotherapy, if needed. This may also include teaching families how to do chest physiotherapy.
• Provide sessions to help patients movement and development. This includes using exercises and activities to help sitting, rolling, standing and walking.
• Manage any muscle and joint problems, with the use of splints, casts and orthotics.
• Teach nurses, carers and families the correct positioning and handling of patients.
• Prescribe special equipment, such as standing frames.
• Organise community Physiotherapy services, for after discharge.
• Work with other members of the team on the following activities:

• Making changes to the home and/or school environment
• Community outings
• Group Programs, such as Music and Movement Group
• Organising funding for special equipment

Occupational Therapist (OT)

• Individual therapy is very important t for the development of babies and younger children.
• Plan and take part in outings with the children along with other team member/s.
• Prescription of specialised equipment such as strollers/wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, bath aids, lifting hoists etc.
• Preparing paperwork for funding for specialised equipment.
• Setting up and adapting where necessary specialised equipment to suit the individual child.
• Home visits and working with the family regarding home modifications where required. 
• Preschool and school visits are also conducted by the Occupational Therapist, with other member/s of the team. 

Child Life Therapist

• To work with the  team collaboratively in order to meet the family’s goals
• To assist the family with the child’s educational, play, behavioural and emotional needs – through, procedural support, group and individual play sessions, outings and community educational services support

Social Worker

• Counselling and support to the child and family assisting with adjustment to illness and functioning.
• Assist families in managing issues related to long term hospitalisation.
• Assist the family regarding community supports services including accommodation, transport and childcare.
• Communication with other relevant organisations that will provide help for the family.