The Children's Hospital at Westmead

12/12/2025

Derek first came to hospital when he was 14 years old when he started losing feeling in his hands and feet. He could barely walk or lift his arms, and breathing felt like it was through a straw.

He was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, a condition where tangles of blood vessels form in the body preventing oxygen from reaching nearby tissue. Derek's AVM was positioned near his lower brain stem and upper spinal cord.

His debilitating condition and ongoing treatment stopped him from attending school full time, instead regular hospital visits became the norm.

But as his condition worsened, clinicians knew they needed a new approach.

Research into a new liquid biopsy test showed promise for Derek as it could be the key in identifying a targeted treatment for his specific AVM, without the risk of life-threatening bleeding that other biopsies had.

Derek soon was part of a world-first clinical trial to use liquid biopsy for children and young people with AVMs, and based on its results, clinicians discovered a targeted treatment for his AVM.

Derek is 18 years old now, walking and breathing easy again. The treatment shrunk his AVM and diminished his other severe health symptoms.

His story is a testament to the importance of research collaboration in hospitals, showing that laboratory research into new biopsy methods can directly enable hospital bedside treatments.

Read Derek's full story - link in the comments ⬇️

11/12/2025

Under 16s across Australia are no longer allowed to hold accounts on many social media platforms. 📵

We understand this may feel disruptive and may be difficult for kids to adjust. It may feel stressful, frustrating, unfair and even lonely.

But losing an app doesn't mean losing a friendship. You can help your child stay connected through phone calls, or group chats on safe platforms, or if possible, in person visits.

If your child is having a hard time, encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, or reach out to services like the Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 and HeadSpace 1800 650 890.

And remember, it could take some time for everyone to adjust!

10/12/2025

Every day across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network our paths cross, sometimes in unseen ways, to make a difference.

From The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, to Bear Cottage, NETS and Kids Research, we work together to help children, young people and their families.

This is what connects us. This is care.

09/12/2025

Button batteries are small, shiny — and can be deadly if swallowed.

Every year in Australia, around 1,000 children come to ED after concerns about button battery ingestion. Damage can start within 2 hours, and it often happens without any obvious symptoms.

This holiday season:
🎁 Avoid gifts with button batteries for kids under 5
🏠 Check your home — anything that lights up, beeps or spins could contain one
🔒 Store new, spare and used batteries safely in a locked, child-resistant cupboard
🩹 Tape used batteries and dispose of them immediately
👃 Remember: kids can swallow them or put them in their nose

If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery: go straight to the ED or call 000.

For children over 1 year old, you can give 10 mL honey every 10 minutes (up to 6 doses) on the way — but urgent medical care is critical.

Let’s keep kids safe this Christmas. ❤️
Check. Secure. Store safely.

08/12/2025

A special episode discussing paediatric care.

Dr Nikola Morton, consultant paediatrician and Staff Specialist at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, joined the latest Multicultural Media Online Conference to discuss a new tool both paediatric and neonatal patient care.

Watch the episode and find out more.

NSW Ministry of Health Chief Paediatrician Dr Helen Goodwin, Clinical Excellence Commission Medical Lead of Paediatric Patient Safety Program Dr Nikola Morto...

05/12/2025

Hot weather can be dangerous for everyone.

Here are some simple tips for a healthy safe summer:

- Enjoy outdoor activities and exercise in the cooler parts of the day.
- Keep your home cool by closing curtains and blinds and use fans or air conditioning.
- Offer babies under six months more frequent milk feeds
- For older children, offer water frequently.

If you need medical advice over summer and your usual doctor isn't available, you can call healthdirect anytime day or night, for free, on 1800 022 222 and get the help you need.

For more tips, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/summer

05/12/2025

Sparkling jellyfish hovering about, a shipwreck, a yellow submarine, and a big whale to top it off, the 2025 Party Day ward winner is...

PICU!

Congratulations to the PICU ward for their incredible decorations that instantly transported you to a world under the sea. 🐠🐙🐳

A special mention goes to the Wade Ward that brought to life games including scrabble, monopoly and snakes and ladders. 🎲

We hope you enjoyed Party Day and we can't wait to do it all again!

04/12/2025

Congratulations to all of the SCHN Excellent People Awards for 2025 🏆

Christie-Lee Wall, Bone and Mineral Coordinator and Senior Physiotherapist in Endocrinology won the Children & Young People's Choice category.

Designed by members of the SCHN Youth Council, nominees of this special award are voted on by patients, families, and carers to recognise the excellence of staff from a patient and family perspective.

Christie has been part of Finn's journey for the past six years from when Finn was just two days old.

Finn's Mum says, “Christie taught us how to safely hold and care for Finn when he was born with two broken legs, and she has guided us, listened and supported us in navigating this rare condition with incredible skill.

Her impact on our lives has been profound and we are deeply grateful for her expertise, kindness, and unwavering commitment."

The SCHN Excellent People Awards is one way we can recognise and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our people who embody the values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect, and Empowerment on a daily basis and support the delivery of world-class paediatric healthcare.

Congratulations again to Christie!

04/12/2025

Blind mice, paper planes, a special surprise from Spiderman, and a big white unicorn! 🦄

It was everyone's favourite things everywhere on ✨Party Day✨ Patients, families, and staff saw the wards transformed into a cinema, an aquarium, Disney land, and dream land among many others.

Find out who the ward winner will be tomorrow!

In the meantime, which one was your favourite?

03/12/2025

Fletcher is one of many Australians living with Autism. There are about 1 in 100 Australians affected with Autism.

This week, we spoke with Fletcher about his experience living with Autism to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities - celebrated every year on 3 December.

Promoting the rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities, this year's theme, fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress, is a powerful reminder that inclusion drives equality and is beneficial for everyone.

Watch Fletcher's story here!

02/12/2025

Congratulations to the 2025 finalists of Photo Finish, SCHN digital photography competition!

The brief was to submit uplifting and cheerful photographs and our community delivered.

We received outstanding entries and narrowing down to four finalists in each category was extremely difficult.

Now it is over to you to help select the People’s Choice award. Please like the image you think deserves your vote.

Voting will close on Monday 8 December.

01/12/2025

Party Day People!

We couldn't fit in all Our Favourite Things from Party Day into just one post.

Thanks to all the teams at the Children's Hospital at Westmead who helped make our annual Party Day a spectacular event for young and old!