Children's Ward

If staying overnight, children are encouraged to bring, toiletries, pyjamas and a favourite comforter (toy, dummy etc.). Parents should also bring anything they need for an overnight stay, including a pillow if they wish.

Portable DVD units, a wide range of DVDs and toys are available for your child to use throughout their stay.

Albury There is one general paediatric surgeon who operates in the area. There are three ear nose and throat (ENT) surgeons who also perform paediatric surgery.  Generally paediatric patients presenting for elective procedures attend the paediatric unit, or the Albury Day Procedure Unit.

Wodonga Day only surgical cases for children are performed at Wodonga from the Day Procedure Unit. See Day Procedure Unit for more information. 

Due to COVID-19 visiting hours may be affected, please see Vic Health guidelines. However, local restrictions will also apply, so please check AWH visitor page for variations.

Visiting hours in the Paediatric unit are flexible for immediate family, other friends and family are encouraged to visit between 9.30am and 1pm and between 3pm and 8pm. Parents are encouraged to spend as much time as they can with their children.

One care giver can stay with each paediatric client overnight. If staying overnight with your child a sofa bed is available next to your child’s bed.  There is a shower and toilet facility for parents just outside our ward. Parents are able to purchase meal vouchers to have meals sent to the ward with their child's meals or alternatively meals can be purchased at the hospital canteen or Café. You are more than welcome to have food brought in for yourself, we have kitchen facilities to heat meals.

To provide family-centred care to all patients and their families we have developed a ‘Top 5 Care Point’ tool to ensure a smooth patient journey for our clients and families. Before admission, we encourage you to download Top 5 Care Point tool and complete this tool so we can work in partnership with you to provide care based on your child's needs and your priorities. Once you have completed the tool  or if you have any questions, please contact the ward on 02 60584404 and speak to the nurse in charge. If possible, we also encourage you to bring your child to the ward for a visit to familiarise them before their admission.

A Parents Guide to Hospitalisation  

Safer Care Victoria tonsil and adenoidectomy resources with the two following links :
www.bettersafercare.vic.gov.au/resources/tools/making-a-decision-about-tonsillectomy
www.bettersafercare.vic.gov.au/paediatric-network/adenotonsillectomy 

OKEE APP helps Children

The free, game-based app, Okee in Medical Imaging, helps children aged four to eight years prepare for all medical imaging procedures, including X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and fluoroscopy.

The app is designed to reduce anticipatory fear of imaging procedures, while helping to ensure children attend imaging appointments equipped with the skills required for efficient and effective scans to be performed.

Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Educational Play Therapist, Siobhan Greene, who has worked with patients and families in the Royal Children's Hospital Medical Imaging department, said research showed children who were prepared for their procedures coped better.

See  the app in action here: https://vimeo.com/royalchildrenshospital/okee               

 Learn more and download for free: www.rch.org.au/okee 

The app was developed as a collaboration between the Medical Imaging department, Educational Play Therapy department and Educational Resource Centre at the RCH with digital agency Conduct.  Funding was generously provided by The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. The app is currently available for free on Apple and Android smartphones and tablets and can easily be found by searching for ‘Okee’ or via the link above.

Your Child's Rights our Child's Rights 

Your Child's Rights - Royal Children's Hospital resource