Patient and family-centred care
At The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), delivery of health
care is based on partnerships between patients, families and all
those involved in their care. We recognise that young people heal
best when their families are part of the team, and we're committed
to this approach that's being embraced in paediatric facilities
around the world. It is known as 'patient and family-centred care'.
The key principles are:
- Dignity and respect
- Information sharing
- Participation
- Collaboration
Privacy
We are committed to protecting the privacy of our
patients. We are required by law to protect personal
information and comply with the Health Records Act 2001 and other
relevant legislation relating to confidentiality and privacy. For
more information or a copy of our 'Privacy' brochure, please visit
our website or contact Family Resources and Respite.
RCH website
www.rch.org.au
Family Resources and
Respite
9345 4662
Our staff
During your stay at the RCH, you are likely to meet a
number of different health professionals and support staff.
Nurses, doctors, administrative staff, therapists,
dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, teachers and others might
play a part in the team that will be looking after you. The role of
each staff member is different so please ask who they are if you
are unsure.
In the media
Corporate Communications at the RCH manages all media
contact for hospital staff, patients and their families. All
media calls and visits must be directed to Corporate
Communications. Please talk with our Corporate Communications staff
before allowing media to visit your child in hospital.
If your child becomes the subject of media
interest, Corporate Communications is available to support and
advise you if you choose to speak with the media, or will handle
all media enquiries on your behalf.
Media cannot come into the hospital without
permission from Corporate Communications. No personal information
about your child is released to the media without your consent.
Corporate Communications
9345 5138
A teaching hospital
The RCH is a teaching hospital for doctors, nurses and
allied health staff. A student may ask to talk to you or your
child or examine your child. We encourage parents to participate,
however if you have any concerns, please say 'no' and speak with
the nurse unit manager or your child's doctor. We also provide
training for doctors from overseas. These doctors are qualified and
are gaining more skills in the care of children.
Our research
Medical research is vital to identify new approaches to
preventing, diagnosing and treating childhood diseases and to
promoting the health and wellbeing of children. The RCH is one of
the world's leading academic hospitals and has a long-standing and
strong commitment to research.
We are co-located with campus partners, the Murdoch Childrens
Research Institute and The University of Melbourne. The partnership
allows the sharing of staff, facilities, expertise and knowledge
and means that research findings can be quickly translated into
clinical practice. Collaboration between scientists,
researchers and doctors on laboratory, clinical and public health
research projects has resulted in outstanding advances in child
health.
Researchers are supported by funding from the Australian
Government and state governments, corporate sponsors and
philanthropic organisations, as well as from fundraising programs
facilitated by The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation and Murdoch
Childrens Research Institute.
How you can get involved in
research
The strength of research on our campus depends on children
and parents/carers participation in research. Whilst your child is
at the hospital, you and your child may be approached about your
child taking part in research. Your child's contribution could help
to provide better care both for your child and for other children
in the future.
Involvement in research may involve filling in questionnaires or
surveys, trialling a different medication or treatment, or
undergoing extra tests or procedures. All research projects
on the campus undergo an ethical review before being approved.
Before agreeing to allow your child to take part in a research
project, be sure both you and your child understand what is
involved and ask questions about the project.
There is no financial cost to you associated with taking part in
research and there is no obligation for your child to take part in
research. If you decide you'd rather your child didn't take part it
won't affect your relationship with the RCH and your child will
continue to receive high quality care.
If you have any questions or concerns about our research, please
contact the Director, Research Development and Ethics.
Telephone
9345 6924
Email
rch.ethics@rch.org.au