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Patients launch a love affair with reading

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Patients and staff at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) swapped bandages for books and stethoscopes for stories to launch ‘National Year of Reading at the RCH’ today.

The RCH signed up as a partner of the 2012 National Year of Reading, joining state, public and school libraries, and community groups around the country in an initiative that promotes reading and literacy and inspires Australians to become a nation of readers.

Ms Inga Peulich MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, attended the launch, which sported a Valentine’s Day theme.

The hospital’s atrium, Main Street, was transformed into a Literature Lovers Lane with visits from celebrity children’s authors, surprise guest appearances from popular book characters, word games, installations and performances that celebrated a love of reading.

Felice Arena (author of Specky Magee series), Michael Wagner (author of Maxx Rumble series) and author and illustrator Jeanette Rowe with sidekick SmartyCat performed for patients and visitors throughout the day.

Patients were serenaded by roving musicians playing love songs, before tucking into love-themed cupcakes.

A giant Valentine’s Day card was quickly filled with messages from children, young people, families and staff, sharing what they ‘love2read’, the catchphrase of National Year of Reading.

There were also opportunities to put artistic skills to the test, with badge and bookmark making workshops and calico book bag screen-printing.

RCH Education Institute Director, Glenda Strong, said the hospital was thrilled to be a partner of National Year of Reading.

“Our teachers are adept at creating exciting learning opportunities in a non-school setting that speak to children and young people as ongoing learners, particularly when a child’s engagement in formal education may be compromised by a health condition,” Ms Strong said.

“By celebrating National Year of Reading, we highlight the value of reading as an important life skill for the whole hospital community. We look forward to immersing the hospital in a culture of reading throughout 2012 and beyond,” she said.

Plastic surgeon says twins’ surgery going well

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Plastic surgeon Dr Tony Holmes has announced that the conjoined twins’ surgery is going smoothly and to plan.

Dr Holmes said Krishna and Trishna were put to sleep last night to have their anaesthetic lines put in.  An angiogram was also performed for a final look at the blood vessels.  Krishna and Trishna remained sedated for the duration of the night.

The girls arrived in theatre on schedule today at around 8.30am.  Theatre staff spent time positioning the girls and equipment before plastic surgeons made the first incision at 10am.

A major flap of skin has been pulled back to expose the tissue expanders and half of the bone.  A layer of excess skin, produced by the expanders, has been removed and will be preserved for use after the separation to cover the girls’ scalps.

Neurosurgeons Dr Wirginia Maixner and Dr Alison Wray and now starting to remove the bone at the back half of the girls’ heads.

Dr Holmes says Krishna and Trishna were prepared as well as possible for this surgery.  “I am cautiously optimistic,” he said.

Fellow plastic surgeon Dr Andrew Greensmith shared Dr Holmes’s sentiment, saying he is experiencing “a nervousness of a positive type”.

He said the team is applying techniques used everyday on other patients, but their application this time is obviously unique.

“It’s a great privilege to be involved as part of this team,” Dr Greensmith said.  “It’s an extremely good team that has been working well for the past two years with the twins.”