The Royal Children's Hospital

Rain, hail, or shine – we’re celebrating! Today our team braved the elements to have a well-deserved end-of-year breakfast or lunch, featuring a variety of food trucks and tasty bites. From bánh mì and baked potatoes, to nachos and gyros- there was lots to go around, including a special breakfast for our night shift champions. Thanks to all the team members who made this possible; it’s always a nice opportunity to stop, snack and celebrate a year well done. 

Recently, staff, volunteers, friends, and family gathered to honour the people who have made significant contributions to the hospital and our work over the past year. The annual Service Recognition and Staff Excellence Awards provide an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, award scholarship recipients, and celebrate those who have reached service milestones from 15 to an incredible 40 years. Team members from various departments, both clinical and non-clinical, were recognised for their outstanding work across 12 categories, encompassing specific roles and various areas of work, from nursing and allied health, to sustainability and quality improvement.

From Crocodiles to rocket ships, there were fun-filled activities aplenty to celebrate the launch of the second book from Yalingbu Yirramboi – The Royal Children’s Hospital School, “Where would you go?”. This magical adventure, a collaboration between children of Yalingbu Yirramboi and award-winning authors Alison Lester and Jane Godwin, encourages readers to wonder where everyone in the hospital might go, from the jungle to space, even to lolly land! Yalingbu Yirramboi is a registered school under the Department of Education that gives children and young people with chronic and acute health issues the opportunity to attend school and remain engaged in their learning. Cassie Gibson, a Primary Years Teacher, said, “Watching our students take pride in their illustrations, develop a love of stories, share their ideas and feel connected to other students reminds me why literacy matters so much in a hospital school.” This project is made possible thanks to The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation Photography by Paul Jeffers.

Content warning: This video discusses sexual harm. The sexual assault service at the RCH has changed its name to SASH- Support After Sexual Harm. Today, to align with World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, we’re launching our new name. SASH – Support After Sexual Harm - reflects the work we do for children who have experienced sexual harm, together with their families and communities. This change supports our strategic commitment to remove barriers to access for children who have experienced sexual harm, and their families.

Today, Dr Stuart Lewena, Director of Emergency Medicine at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), joined Sarah Sexton, CEO of Kidsafe Victoria, met with the State Sport Centres team at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) to call for renewed action on water safety as summer approaches.   In light of the recent tragedies in our community, Dr Lewena reminded Victorians that no day by the pool or beach should end in a trip to the Emergency Department. Sadly, our clinical teams continue to see the devastating and preventable consequences of childhood drownings each year.   Kidsafe Victoria’s Layer Up This Summer campaign highlights the importance of putting multiple layers of protection in place, such as ensuring pool and spa barriers are compliant, maintaining active supervision, supporting access to swimming and water safety education, and keeping first aid and CPR skills current.   For clinicians and healthcare professionals, this serves as a timely reminder of the role we play in prevention - through advocacy, education, and conversations that help families stay safe around water.

From sleep to schooling and self-confidence, untreated pelvic pain, including heavy and painful periods as well as vulval pain, can affect almost every aspect of a teenager’s life. That pain is not normal and should not be ignored.    Early intervention is crucial to provide better treatment for more young people experiencing pain.    It’s why we were proud to stand alongside the Premier and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas MP to launch the Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report, which highlighted the experiences of women and girls and the gaps in care they experience, including barriers and delays in diagnosis and treatment.    To help address this, the RCH is going to coordinate a statewide service for young girls and adolescents with pain. The statewide service will focus on sexual and reproductive health and pain conditions including endometriosis in young people up to the age of 18.    This will include providing resources and support such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists across Victoria.   Director of Gynaecology at the RCH, Professor Sonia Grover, welcomed the announcement, explaining it will mean improved care for young people with pelvic pain across the state.    “While some young people reach us at The Royal Children’s Hospital, there hasn't been a clear pathway for them to access care.  “That changes today.”

Emma’s story highlights the critical role of compassionate, flexible care in supporting families navigating cystic fibrosis. From early diagnosis to long hospital stays, Emma’s RCH care team have been a constant source of support. “They are always there… flexible and understand that you have a life outside CF.” Read how advocacy, education, and clinical care come together to empower families like Emma’s on the RCH blog ❤️ https://lnkd.in/gYdW-JaX

This is Halloween at the RCH! From creative costumes to cobwebs on the wards, staff always go the above and beyond to make sure kids and families who can’t be at home this spooky season can still take part. There’s nothing better than seeing the look on a young patient’s face when they spot Elsa coming down the hallway or Batman coming into their room! Happy Halloween 👻 🎃

Congratulations to our Chief of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Michelle Telfer who has been named by the Australian Human Rights Commission as a finalist for this year’s Australian Human Rights Medal.  The prestigious award celebrates human rights champions across a variety of sectors and industries, including law, education and climate. Assoc. Prof. Telfer was chosen as a finalist for her advocacy for trans and gender-diverse young people, and for shifting the national conversation towards including compassion and evidence-based care. Congratulations Michelle, on this well-deserved nomination.  You can read more about Michelle's work and the award at

Six-year-old Hazel is no stranger to hard work. Growing up on a dairy farm near Echuca, she’s used to early mornings and muddy boots. When Hazel started complaining of tummy pain, her mum April trusted her instincts and pushed for further tests. A blood test revealed dangerously high infection levels, Hazel needed urgent surgery to remove her appendix. Hazel was quickly flown to The Royal Children’s Hospital in an air ambulance. “I remember looking out the window and pointing out Uncle Brent’s place to Hazel, she was understandably, not in the mood,” April recalls. “And I kept thinking, ‘Who’s going to milk the cows?’” Back home, the dairy community came together to keep the farm going. Neighbours and friends stepped in to keep the farm running while Hazel spent three and a half weeks in hospital, undergoing two surgeries. “The whole dairy industry really came together. I was on the phone every day with Mum and Dad, but people just showed up for us. It was incredible.” Hazel formed a special bond with a nurse on Platypus, ‘Kiwi’ Emma, “she still talks about how amazing Emma was.” Hazel is now home and slowly returning to farm life, still a little fighter, now with a big story. “It was a lot for a little country kid who’s used to the farm.” Read more about Hazel’s time at the RCH: https://lnkd.in/gkGQ_77D