Latest Posts

The Comfort Promise: We do everything possible to prevent and treat pain. For Every Child. Every Time.

Data show that in both high-income and low-medium income countries, needle pain is consistently rated among the most painful and least well-managed medical experiences for children. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 2 in 3 children and 1 in 4 adults suffer from a strong fear of needles. This fear, often rooted in negative experiences during childhood, leads to healthcare avoidance behaviours and is the leading reason for immunisation non-compliance.

.

Adaptive platform trials for rare disease populations

BANDICOOT is an international adaptive platform trial (APT) designed to identify effective therapies that improve health outcomes for critically ill children receiving a haematopoetic stem cell transplant (HCT). Building
on extensive engagement with patients, their parents, and clinicians, we will launch 3 trial domains focused on exercise, nutritional supplementation, and the gut microbiome

.

To prevent the unpredictable

Mental health risk assessments have always been a challenge, even for the most experienced clinicians. Risk assessment involves understanding not just the severity of the reported symptoms but the underlying motivations and the psychosocial circumstances. 

.

NAIDOC Week — The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy

This year’s NAIDOC theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy. Drawing on these words, Commissioner Meena Singh will discuss her work at the Commission for Children and Young People, the importance of hearing and acting upon the voices of Aboriginal children and young people, and how ensuring their safety, and supporting their growth, means we are investing in our future.

.

A call to action: the second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing

Almost 10 years has passed since the first Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. Whilst some progress has been made, many areas of need are escaping our efforts, and much more needs to be done to ensure optimal adolescent health and wellbeing. This second Commission brought together 44 commissioners from across the globe and disciplines, including 10 youth commissioners who co-led each workstream.

.

Surgical management of patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Professor Joseph Dearani from the Mayo Clinic is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, and expert in management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He has accumulated the world’s largest experience with surgical management of these complex patients, and will discuss the lessons.

.

Vaccine preventable diseases in 2025: Learning from the past and looking forward

Immunisations are one of the world’s greatest public health interventions, and also one of the areas of medicine increasingly susceptible to misinformation. Independent, evidence-based scientific advice to governments and the community is crucial in informing immunisation policy and appropriate utilisation and uptake of safe and effective vaccines.

.

World Environment Day: The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

At The Royal Children’s Hospital, we recognise the significant impact of healthcare delivery on environmental pollution and climate change, and that these have direct impact on the health and wellbeing of children. To commemorate World Environment Day on June 5th, the Campus Sustainability Committee has organised this Grand Round to highlight the increasing concern around plastics – their production, use and disposal – as a major hazard to human health.

.