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Family Services

About Family Services

  • The Family Services and Volunteers Department aims to improve the hospital experience for our patients, families, carers and friends by providing five, family-centred services backed by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

    Main street reception

    Our friendly and knowledgable Main Street Reception staff, located at the ground floor entry, are usually the first point of call for families and visitors who require assistance with hospital enquiries.

    The Family Hub

    The Family Hub (formerly known as the Family Resource & Respite Centre) is a home away from home for families and visitors, offering a comfortable lounge area, kitchen facilities and a fully-equipped business centre. It is also where families can book a free ticket to the Hoyts Beanbag Cinema, make an appointment with a Centrelink representative or financial or legal advisor, grab some emergency clothing or a toothbrush.

    Kids Health Info Bookshop

    In addition to selling books on parenting, picture books, novels, medical texts and safety products, the bookshop provides a range of support services for families including information and details for support groups relating to childhood diseases and chronic illnesses.

    The volunteer service

    Volunteers play a vital role throughout the RCH, providing families with respite, playing with patients and their siblings and assisting staff with a range of administrative and other duties. Volunteer Service staff facilitate this vital role by coordinating the recruitment, training and rostering of hospital volunteers. 

    Community Information

    Our Community Information team (formerly Safety Centre) provides families and the broader community with valuable information and advice on keeping children and adolescents safe and healthy, and helping you understand your child’s health concerns. Our resources include the trusted Kids Health Info fact sheets, safety and injury prevention documents, and the newly developed My RCH app. 

    Archives

    The Archives Department functions as the corporate memory of the Royal Children's Hospital. Its main role is to maintain a register and control the movement and maintenance of the hospital's valuable artworks and cultural assets collection.