The Children's Hospital at Westmead

29/07/2025

🔥 As the weather cools down, it could be tempting to bring the BBQ or outdoor heater inside - but it’s seriously dangerous.

Outdoor heaters and BBQs give off carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas you can’t see, smell, or taste. Every winter, the NSW Poisons Information Centre sees a spike in carbon monoxide poisoning cases - and it can be deadly.

If you or someone you love is exposed, or you’re worried they might be, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. They're there for you 24/7, every day of the year.

And remember - keep outdoor devices where they belong: outside.

28/07/2025

Sienna was only five months old when a stranger saved her life.

Sienna was born with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver condition where the bile ducts become blocked, causing scarring in the liver and leading to cirrhosis. The first symptom was jaundice, with her skin and eyes appearing yellow. Within a couple of months, she had been listed for a liver transplant.

After several hospital admissions, Sienna's mum, Jessica, received the call they'd been waiting for and Sienna went into surgery. Ten hours later, Jessica was told the surgery had been a success.

Now two years post-transplant, Sienna is an energetic and funny girl, full of life and joy, with a love for music, singing, playing with her friends at daycare, and turtles - all possible thanks to the generosity of her organ donor.

"We have written the anonymous letters of thanks to Sienna’s donor family, without them Sienna wouldn’t have had a second chance at life. We are forever thankful," Jessica said.

Before Sienna was born, Jessica was already a registered organ donor but now she is an even more passionate advocate.

"I discuss it with everyone, as I have seen firsthand the amazing impact it can bring to someone else’s life. Make sure you talk to your family and friends. Let them know of your wishes."

This week marks DonateLife Week. It is an important reminder to discuss organ donation with your loved ones and to register your decision. To register, visit https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

25/07/2025

The flu can be tough on kids, even if they’re healthy. Book their flu shot today.

With flu season upon us, it's more important than ever to separate fact from fiction. The flu can have serious consequences - even for healthy children.

Dr Phoebe Williams, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Physician, has teamed up with Mamamia to debunk some of the myths surrounding the flu.

"When we look at the data for children that are hospitalised due to the flu or who die from the flu, almost two-thirds of those kids are otherwise healthy children," Dr Williams said.

The flu vaccine is free for children under 5 years and is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over. Book your flu vaccine at your GP or pharmacy today.

Read more in the comments.

24/07/2025

CHAMPIONS4CHILDREN | "I’ve had the privilege of working across the Network in various roles for over 20 years. What I value most is the opportunity to care for children and their families, and to support staff in delivering safe, compassionate care.

I'm the Nurse Manager of a busy Emergency Department, where I lead a large team of nurses and clerical staff. My role is all about keeping things running smoothly day-to-day, while also planning for the future. I work closely with medical leaders to manage staffing, support professional development, and ensure we’re providing safe, high-quality, patient-focused care. I handle rostering, help drive quality improvement and research projects, and contribute to bigger-picture planning at both state and national levels.

I began my journey in the Network as a ward clerk in the Emergency Department. I did this while completing my nursing degree. It’s a real privilege to now lead the same department as Nurse Manager." - Pamela Bold, Nurse Manager Emergency Department.

23/07/2025

Transport yourself to the year 2040. How does the world around you look and feel? How are people caring for one another?

NSW Health is inviting young people in Years 7-10 to imagine and design what healthcare in NSW could look like in the year 2040 and to share their vision through storytelling, science, art and innovation.

Participants will be given a Canva template that outlines what they need to do, as well as some handy resources to help them design a rich, detailed world. The only rule? Their future must reflect the health workforce, workplace, or healthcare in 2040—and it must be bright! 🌟

To get your young person involved, head to https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/future/future-health-worldbuilding-comp/Pages/future-health-worldbuilding-guide.aspx

🗓️ Submissions open 11 August and close 25 September. A finalist event will be held on 3 November.

22/07/2025

Exciting news! An Optus mobile coverage site has been installed on the hospital roof, now fully operational. The new tower will significantly boost connection, ensuring a strong, reliable signal throughout the hospital to better support patients, families, staff, and the wider community.

Thank you Optus and the team at Indara for helping everyone stay connected. 📱📞

21/07/2025

🚨 In NSW there has been a high number of children getting meningococcal ahead of the peak season.

Meningococcal is a medical emergency and children need to be treated in hospital.

Learn the symptoms of meningococcal in babies and children and how to protect them: https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/meningococcal-infection-factsheet

🚑 In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

18/07/2025

In the bustling corridors of the hospital, a unique initiative is quietly transforming the way children and young people with complex needs receive care.

The Quiet Pathway is a purpose-designed procedural room with its own entrance, offering a more seamless transition for children from the car, into the anaesthesia bay without needing to come into the hospital or sit in waiting rooms.

Led by the Department of Anaesthesia, the pathway is designed to provide tailored admission processes for children who require anaesthesia but face severe anxiety, autism, or behavioural and intellectual disabilities.

The room is fitted with recliners that resemble home furniture, dimmable LED lighting, soothing music, and discreetly hidden medical equipment to maintain a serene atmosphere.

Twelve-year-old William, who lives with Down Syndrome and autism, was the first patient to use the new pathway. His mum, Filomena, said the program transformed their hospital experience.

“William would often show signs of distress and become aggressive when inside [the hospital]. Once he escalates, it’s really challenging to soothe him because he cannot understand or process his emotions.”

“Being able to bypass the usual admissions process and avoid this distress for William was invaluable.”

The establishment of the Quiet Pathway was supported by Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation.

17/07/2025

Children and families from across our hospitals had the chance to explore the magic of Bubble Planet – a sensory universe where science meets imagination and bubbles come to life.

From giant glowing domes to dreamy interactive zones, every moment was filled with wide-eyed wonder.

Thank you to the team at Bubble Planet Experience for making this unforgettable experience possible.

16/07/2025

| "We are caring for the future, and that is an incredible privilege.

As the Medicines Information and Quality Use of Medicines Specialist Pharmacist, I help medicines make sense in the wonderfully complex world of paediatrics. I work closely with our amazing, specialist pharmacists and their multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines in children.

I have also led the creation of our online clinical decision support tools: Meds4Kids, Meds4KIDneys and the Paediatric Injectable Medicines Handbook - all of which are aimed at enhancing paediatric care with just a click.

Typical is never on the schedule for my day – and that is exactly why I love it. One minute I’m crafting a safe plan to deliver a cutting-edge medicine to a critically ill child; the next I'm wrangling medicine monographs on our databases to support our busy clinicians. Every day is a puzzle and I am here for the clinical plot twists, connecting the dots and translating science into answers that help our little patients thrive.

The best part of my job is working alongside extraordinary clinicians as we all work toward the same goal: safe, effective care for every child. It is a place where innovation meets compassion, and clinical excellence is powered by love." - DrPathma Joseph, Medicines Information and Quality Use of Medicines Specialist Pharmacist.

If you would like to pursue a career like Pathma, visit our Careers Portal: https://jobs.health.nsw.gov.au/schn/page/all-jobs-schn-539

14/07/2025

This little guy in the video has a very important message for you.

Smoking and va**ng are dangerous — for everyone. As an adult, that’s your choice but kids don’t get to choose what they breathe in.

When adults smoke or v**e around children, little lungs inhale the same harmful chemicals, and it can make them seriously sick.

Please, stay smoke and v**e-free around kids.

11/07/2025

Over the month of June, our doctors, nurses, trainees (basic and advanced) and allied health professionals made it their mission to save lives both on and off the clock.

The five teams competed in the ultimate challenge to see who could donate the most blood and with the tally now final, it can be revealed that the nursing team have taken out top spot. 🏆

The nurses made an impressive 31 blood donations over the month. This remarkable effort has the potential to save 93 lives.

A huge thank you goes out to the team champions, Alison Bradley and Emma Campbell for their dedication and hard work rallying the troops. 🙌

Congratulations are also in order for the doctors, trainees, and allied health professionals for their invaluable contributions.

While the Nursing team are taking home the trophy, the ultimate winners are the patients whose lives will benefit from these donations. 🩸❤️

If you'd like to donate blood, book an appointment with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood today. Visit www.lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.