Burns Unit team
Natalie Westcott - Unit Manager
Job Description
Unit Manager of Platypus Ward, Plastics/Burns/Orthopaedic Unit.
Candice Dudok - Clinical Nurse Facilitator
Job Description
Support person for all staff to ultise. Facilitates competence among staff and orientates and support’s new staff to Platypus Ward.
Nicole Dorward/ Kelly Shepard- Care Managers
Job Description
To co-ordinate the in patient care, discharge, and home management of major burns patients (greater than 10%). This is achieved by liasing closely with all the burn's team, the patient and their family.
Kathy Bicknell - CNC - Burns Coordinator
Job Description
To coordinate inpatient and outpatient care for burns patients. Provide education to patients, families, nursing, medical and allied health. Involved in developing prevention strategies.
Mr Russell Taylor and Mr Tom Clarnette - Paediatric Surgeons RCH
Ms Sian Fairbanks - Paediatric Plastic Surgeon
Job Description
Paediatric general surgeons and plastic surgeon who specialise in the immediate and ongoing surgical management of burns injuries. The surgeons are supported by both a Resident and Registrar.
Britta Saunders - Clinical Nurse Burns Outpatients
Job Description
Performs dressing changes and other appropriate care in the outpatient setting.
Kelly Thomson - Social Worker
Job Description
Social workers provide counselling and other services that may be needed when a child has a physical and/or emotional health problem or disability. Some of the ways they help are:
- Supporting people during periods of crisis
- Offering individual counselling for children, teenagers and young adult patients
- Short term counselling for parents, couples and families
- Locating community resources and support groups
- Assisting communication with health care providers
Representing patients and families within the hospital to outside agencies
- Referral to specialist counsellors
- Providing relevant information and education about family issues and child health.
Aboriginal Family Support Service is also available for families
Occupational Therapist
Job Description
The role of the occupational therapist in the acute stage of care is responsible for the assessment and treatment of the hands and wrists. This may involve the use of thermoplastic splints and the implementation of regular exercise programs. As the child becomes more medically stable, scar management and anti-deformity strategies may be necessary. These strategies include use of: soft splints such as compression gloves and gauntlets; thermoplastic splints; taping; and utilisation of silicon products.
The overall aim of the occupational therapy invention within the burns unit, is to achieve functional performance of relevant activities of daily living.
Dianne Awcock - Physiotherapist
Job Description
Jessica Russo - Educational Play Therapist
Job Description
Provides "normalising" and developmental play activities for burns patients whilst in hospital, to help make hospitalisation a more positive experience. Develops understanding and coping skills with the child through the use of medical and lay activities, as well as the support for the child during procedures. These include burns baths and dressing changes by providing alternative focus and divisional play.
Hamish MacLeod - Education Officer
Job Description
The role of the Education Officer is to maximise the educational opportunities of the patient by maintaining connections with their school of origin, and plan for their successful re-entry to school.
During a young person's hospitalisation, communication links are established with their school and may be maintained through phone, fax, e-mail, and Desktop Video Conferencing. As a member of the multi - disciplinary team the Education Officer liaises with the family and the school to identify the current educational needs of the young person, and to work toward a smooth transition to school. An information package is available for both teachers and parents. Peer and staff education is also available.
Anna Noisette/Louise Puli - Orthotist/Prosthetist
Job Description
Early and continued management of the burns scar to prevent contractures and scar hypertrophies. A combination of static and/or dynamic orthoses are used to aid scar management.
Helen Wightman- Dietitian
Job Description
Nutritional assessment and management of patients with burn injuries
Chaplain
Job Description
Chaplain for the burns team.
