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Community services & resources for children

 boy animation - from poster

Community services

 

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Support groups

An A-Z list of community based support groups for children and their families in Victoria: RCH Support Group Directory.

Medical Imaging

GPs and paediatricians can request specialist paediatric Medical Imaging through the RCH Medical Imaging Department, based on the 2nd floor of the RCH. Patients can be bulk-billed. 

  • Information for GPs (pdf)
  • Referral form: PDF
  • Bookings tel: (03) 9345 5256
  • More information: Medical Imaging

Pathology

GPs and paediatricians can request specialist paediatric Pathology services through RCH Pathology, based on the ground floor of the RCH. Patients can be bulk-billed. 

RCH transitionTransition to adult services

What support is available for young adult patients attending RCH  who require lifelong adult health care?  A well planned transition process from paediatric to adult health care is vital for the optimal physical and psychological development of young people with a chronic illness. 

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Specific community based RCH programmes

Centre for Adolescent Health

The Centre for Adolescent Health is a team of staff from many different backgrounds including healthcare and education, who are committed to making a difference to young people's health. Staff at the Centre assist young people to gradually accept increasing responsibility for their own health and make the transition from childhood to adulthood. The centre will see any young person who has a health concern and is willing to attend for an appointment. Usually a referral from a GP is needed. A young person may come by themselves or with a family member, guardian, and/or worker.

The centre has general and specialist clinical services and manage many health and developmental issues including:

  • Behavioural issues
  • Chronic illness
  • Drug and alcohol issues
  • Family concerns
  • Mental health
  • Nutrition, weight issues and diet
  • Sexual health

Contact information:

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Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH)

The Centre for Community Child Health is at the forefront of Australian research into early childhood development and behaviour and its findings are used to inform clinical care, public policy, service delivery and professional practice. 

The Centre runs specialist clinics to assess and manage a wide range of children's developmental and behavioural issues, including:

  • Behaviour problems
  • Learning difficulties
  • Communication delays/disorders
  • Developmental delay
  • Unsettled babies
  • Sleep disorders
  • Encopresis
  • Emotional disturbance
  • ADHD

Appointments are by medical referral.

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Child Development and Rehabilitation Outreach Clinics

The CDR Department has Outreach Clinics in the following locations, for children involved in these community-based programs:

  • Belmore School, Balwyn
  • Cerebral Palsy Education Centre, Oakleigh
  • Glenallen School, Glen Waverley
  • Glenroy Specialist School,  Glenroy
  • Grace Berglund Centre (Scope), Warragul
  • Paediatric Rehabilitation Outreach Clinic, Sale

Contact information:

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ChIPS - Chronic Illness Peer Support program

ChIPS is the Chronic Illness Peer Support program for young people aged 12-25 provided by the Centre for Adolescent Health at RCH. Each year ChIPS holds peer support groups where 6-8 young people with a variety of chronic illnesses get together for 90 minutes a week for 8 weeks. We also offer a variety of social and skills based activities including socials, camps and leadership training.  Please contacts us if you know of any appropriate young people for the peer support groups or would like to know more.

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Community Asthma Project (CAP)

The Community Asthma Project (CAP) aims to improve health outcomes by providing free asthma education and support to young people with asthma and their families to better understand asthma.

An Asthma Educator can visit you and your family at home, your GP surgery, or at another location convenient to you, to provide information and assistance to better manage asthma.

CAP is available to anyone with asthma aged between 0-18 who lives in the northern or western suburbs (postcodes 3000-3099) and has a history of hospital presentation or is considered to be at risk of hospital presentation.

If any of your patients are interested in participating in CAP, or you think they may benefit from the program, please contact:

CAP Project Coordinator
Dianella Community Health
Ph: (03) 9304 5327		 CAP Project Coordinator
Doutta Galla Community Health    
Ph: (03) 9377 7123   

Community Asthma Liaison Nurse
Royal Children's Hospital
Ph: (03) 9345 5295
Pager:  (03) 9377 5522,   #5295

Genetic Health Services

Carrier Testing for Cystic Fibrosis

About 1 million Australians carry a gene change for cystic fibrosis. Genetic Health Services Victoria  at the RCH offers genetic testing for this condition.  If you have parents interested in screening please refer them to the following services and resources:

Ronald McDonald Learning Program for children who have had a serious illness

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program is an educational catch up' program for children who have had a serious illness, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and blood disorders, which has prevented them from attending school for long periods of time. The program supports the educational needs of children recovering from serious illness, by providing them with individual learning programs. A tutor, who is a qualified teacher, is appointed to work with each student over 12 months to assist them to catch up on areas of schooling that have been missed. The program also aims to restore their self confidence and self esteem and an appetite for personal success.

  • Booklet:                               Print (PDF, 19 pages)
  • Referrals and contact:     Kerry Cook,Ronald McDonald Learning Program Manager, tel (03) 9345 6300
  • Email:                                   rmlpvc@ozemail.com.au

 

Please contact us if you know of something missing from this list.
 

 

Last Updated 07-Aug-2008. Authorised by: Annie Moulden. Enquiries: Susan Jury.
webmaster. © RCH.