Women's and Children's Health Network, 72 King William Road, Adelaide (2025)

20/08/2025

📚✨ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 (WCH)! ✨ A hospital stay doesn’t mean missing out on the joy of dressing up and celebrating stories. 💜

Patients at WCH showed off their creativity at our Book Week parade, joined by some very special characters from across the universe, from Snow White and Spiderman, to Rapunzel, Ariel, Bumblebee, Aurora and Alice in Wonderland. 🌟

The Book Buddy Program also brought the wonder of reading right to children’s bedsides, thanks to the support of the WCH Foundation and Starlight Children's Foundation.

A big thank you to Hospital School SA , WCH Foundation, Starlight Children's Foundation Australia and Make a Smile Adelaide for providing so much fun throughout the week!

19/08/2025

Patients like 7-year-old Cazna had a blast celebrating at hands-on experiments with Hospital School SA

Originally from the Northern Territory, Cazna has been staying in Adelaide for the past 3 months while she recieves her treatment. She made sure to join in on the fun and complete an experiment learning how mixtures of materials can make a bag pop! 💥

To learn more about Hospital School SA at the Women's and Children's Hospital, visit https://www.wch.sa.gov.au/patients-visitors/coming-to-wch/hospital-school

16/08/2025

Adelaide Crows fanatic, 5-year-old Zack was absolutely thrilled to meet some members of the Adelaide Crows as they stopped by the Women's and Children's Hospital for a 'fly-by' visit. 💛❤️💙

Zack’s comes from a country town 5 hours away and has visited the WCH many times due to multiple brain surgeries relating to his hydrocephalus aqueduct stenosis, a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain.

Zacks mum Sophie says “He is an absolute mad crows supporter (obsessed actually ) he knows the names and numbers to all the players, sings the song every day, He even wrote a letter to the team and sent it off with his kindy teacher a year or so ago. Every adelaide trip is a stop off at CROWmania and the West Lakes oval for a kick.”

“Meeting the players has been absolutely made his week! For an obsessed boy it’s been an amazing experience.”

We’re so glad you had this special moment, Zack — and we wish the Adelaide Crows the best of luck in their game against the Pies tonight!

15/08/2025

Tonight, the 2025 Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) Excellence Awards were held at the Adelaide Convention Centre with 30 finalists showcasing some of the incredible work that happens here.

Congratulations go the following winners:
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Small Baby Group
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙤𝙣-𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Haematology Oncology School Team
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Monica Diaz
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Disability Access and Inclusion Project at Yarrow Place
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Sophie Sennar
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - 12-Month Child Health and Development Check
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - The Cocoon Program
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Rose Highfold
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - Marnie O'Meara
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 - The Alongside Grief and Loss Program
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙀𝙊 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 - Taikurrinthi – Aboriginal Liaison Unit
𝘾𝙀𝙊’𝙨 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙
• Paediatric Trauma Prevention
• Transfusion@Home
• Continuity of Care Protocols Project
• Jacob Hall

From everyone at WCHN, congratulations!! Thank you so much to our major event sponsor WCH Foundation for their generous support, our silver sponsor Police Credit Union, award sponsor Adelaide University and Bowden Printing. 💜

15/08/2025

𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟯𝟬 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀! Tonight, we are celebrating our amazing staff and the work they do, at our annual Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN) Excellence Awards.

Join us to wish the best of luck to our finalists in the following categories:

🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Allogeneic Stem Cell Donor Service
• Dr Abdul Musa
• Small Baby Group
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙤𝙣-𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Haematology Oncology School Team
• Kieran Higgins
• Taikurrinthi - Aboriginal Liaison Unit
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Cystic Fibrosis Airway Research Group
• Monica Diaz
• Transforming Crohn’s care through nutrition therapy
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Dana Afford
• Disability Access & Inclusion Project at Yarrow Place
• Sensory Toolbox Project
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Management of Acute Anaphylaxis
• Safety, Quality, Risk Mentoring Project
• Sophie Sennar
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• 3D Health Encompass Nursing Team
• Child Health and Development Check
• Victoria Mango
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Paediatric Trauma Prevention
• Transfusion@Home
• Cocoon Program
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Aboriginal Allied Health Assistant School Based VET Partnership
• Continuity of Care Protocols Project
• Rose Highfold
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Jacob Hall
• Marnie O'Meara
• Rebecca Dunn
🟣𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙
• Alongside Grief and Loss Program
• Dr Jemma Anderson
• Yarrow Place R**e and Sexual Assault Service

We look forward to announcing our 2025 winners at the awards ceremony, which is proudly supported by the WCH Foundation

Show our finalists some love in the comments!

14/08/2025

This , we are celebrating the incredible work of our Neonatal Nurses just like Amy (left), who go above and beyond to care for our tiniest patients.

12-week-old Ricky and his mum Erika (right) spent the first 7 weeks of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) after being born at born at 30 weeks and 2 days.

Erika says “The nurses taught me all the basics for looking after a baby. They were a great support to me, they were constantly checking up on me, always there for a chat and support when I needed it and just made it feel like a friendly and happy environment to be in. “

“They helped me feel included in Ricky's care and kept me as involved as possible in every aspect of his day. The nurses would sometimes leave me sticky notes on how his day went and seemed as excited as I was about all his little milestones. "

"For those weeks, they really began to feel like a second family, and it meant the world to me to know that my son was in the care of such attentive and wonderful people.”

A big thank you to Erika for sharing your story, and to our Neonatal Nurses who care for newborns and support our families every step of the way. We’re so thankful for all that you do.

Please leave a message of thanks to our NICU nurses if you’ve experienced their care.

13/08/2025

💛 𝗪𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀! 💛

As we approach , we’re celebrating all our amazing Paediatric Cancer Nurses at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN).

Our nurses support children and families through every step of their cancer journey by providing clinical, emotional, and social support for the whole family.

📸Pictured: L-R: Renae, Nicole, Annie, Georgia, Maddie and Smitha

Do you have a message for one cancer nurses? Leave it in the comments below to show them some love today.

11/08/2025

5 year old Koa was born with Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV), a congenital condition that causes urine build-up, difficulty emptying the bladder and kidney problems.

After many failed urethral ablations (when abnormal tissue in the bladder is removed using a laser), Dr Bec Cooksey, Paediatric Urologist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH), successfully performed mitrofanoff stoma surgery when Koa was 2 years old.

This is a surgical procedure in which the appendix or piece of bowel are used to create a connection between the bladder and the abdominal skin surface to allow for the bladder to drain urine through a stoma (a surgically created opening on the outside of your body that connects to an organ on the inside).

“Koa now voids (empties his bladder) out of his belly button and is catheterised (a tube inserted into his bladder, allowing your urine to drain freely) every 3 to 4 hours. Before the stoma, Koa was very unwell and spent a lot of time in hospital. Life was a rollercoaster, and every day was filled with anxiety,” says Nicola, Koa’s mum.

“Dr Bec is incredible, I can’t thank the team at WCH enough. It’s just amazing how far medicine has come. For someone to create a mitrofanoff from his appendix and for it to work and grow with him, is just incredible.”

The surgery was life saving for Koa and his family, and he’s now back to his cheeky self – enjoying swimming, football, surf lifesaving, and playing superheroes!

“Koa is a little warrior and has fought some big battles in his little life and has learnt to live with his condition.”

Nicola shares her advice to other parents, “Trust your gut, if something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. Speak to the doctors, they really are here to help.”

“I’d also seek advice through support groups – the Muddy Puddles Foundation support group are real families living real situations like you and are there to support anyone who has a stoma, bladder or bowel issue.”

“You are not alone. It does get easier and you all learn to live with the new normal.”

A heartfelt thank you to Nicola and Koa for raising awareness around stomal therapy and sharing your story. 💙

For more information on stomal therapy at WCH, visit https://tinyurl.com/3j858ecv

08/08/2025

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗲, 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟰 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟰𝟴𝟬𝗴 💗

Eddie was born via an emergency c-section and was taken straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH).

“In those early days, I had no idea if breastfeeding was ever going to be an option given his prematurity. With support from the midwives, I hand expressed some colostrum and fed Eddie 1ml every couple of hours through his tube,” says Rachel, Eddie’s mum.

“Expressing has been both the easiest and hardest thing I have ever done. We couldn’t do skin to skin until he was 4 weeks old, but at the same time, I felt like it was the one thing I could do to help my baby.”

“At 38 weeks, we started attempting non-nutritive sucking and at 40 weeks we got the go ahead to start full breastfeeds. Eddie did so well and was managing our breastfeeds during the day with no top ups.”

“We have just been discharged after 130 days on oxygen with a nasogastric tube and hope to transition to exclusively breastfeeding over the coming weeks.”

“NICU became a second home for us and we’re eternally grateful for the team at WCH for helping bring our boy home. The doctors and nurses not only provided an incredible level of care for Eddie, but also showed a genuine care for us as parents.”

Thank you to Rachel for sharing your beautiful story this and to our incredible nurses, midwives and lactation consultants who make breastfeeding possible. 💙

To learn more about breastfeeding support, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yebxmuk6

07/08/2025

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 🖤💛❤️

Today, we’re shining a light on our finalists for The Excellence and Innovation in Aboriginal Health Award in our 2025 Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN) Excellence Awards.

This day is about recognising the vital role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and workers play in supporting the wellbeing of children, families and communities.

🖤 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
In partnership with Findon Technical College, this project is offering young Aboriginal students a seamless pathway into a career in health.

💛 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁
This team are strengthening care for Aboriginal mothers and children from birth to four years of age. By fostering strong community connections, the team are instrumental in delivering ongoing care that extends beyond the hospital walls.

Supported by The Department of Health and Wellbeing

❤️ 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱
In her role as Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Rose is a highly respected and much-loved team member providing specialised cultural support to Aboriginal consumers and their families.

WCHN extends deep appreciation to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff for their leadership, strength, and contribution to a more equitable future.

Learn more about Aboriginal Employment and Engagement at WCHN:
https://www.wchn.sa.gov.au/careers/aboriginal-employment-and-engagement

07/08/2025

It’s the perfect time to help your little superheroes build strong, healthy smiles this #𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸. 🦷

Good dental habits like brushing, flossing and regular check ups help little teeth grow up strong and healthy. Make it fun by using songs, stories and role-playing with your child at home – every ‘S-milestone’ matters!

For an extra boost of motivation, your child can team up with Max Molar and the Plaque Patrollers, SA Dental's fun way to teach kids about fighting tooth decay and keeping smiles bright. 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

Explore SA Dental’s free tools to support your child’s journey to a superhero smile: www.sadental.sa.gov.au

06/08/2025

7 years, 4 kids and 𝟮𝟲𝟱𝟮 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 later...

To celebrate , we’re sharing Jamie’s amazing breastfeeding journey with 7 year old Noah, 4 year old Oliver and twins Charlotte and Eleanor.

Jamie has been a passionate breastfeeding consumer representative with the Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) for 7 years, sharing her wisdom and experience to help other families on their breastfeeding journey.

“This journey has been full of highs and lows. I was incredibly fortunate to have the support from CaFHS to overcome many hurdles and gain invaluable knowledge around breastfeeding and pumping,” says Jamie.

“Breastfeeding is important for the physical and emotional connection it creates between the mum and the baby, as well as nutritional and medicinal benefits. Not to mention the convenience of only needing to pack yourself when heading out!

“Some of my top tips are to never quit on a bad day. Take it feed by feed if you have to and seek help if you're struggling. Every single feed is worth celebrating!”

Jamie’s story is a powerful reminder of the dedication, support, and community that make breastfeeding possible.

“Nothing worthwhile is easy – truer words have never been spoken.”

Thank you, Jamie, for everything you do to support families and for inspiring us all this World Breastfeeding Week. 💚

For more information on breastfeeding support, visit: https://tinyurl.com/huzkbhyd

Women's and Children's Health Network

20/08/2025

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