General interest

Every child in every community needs a fair go

This Grand Round, in the lead up to Child Protection Week 3-9th September, will focus on how as a health service we can identify children who are at risk of missing out on essential medical care. Each year at RCH thousands of health care encounters are missed when children and young people are not brought for scheduled appointments. For some children this can lead to harm, and rarely even have fatal consequences. As a health service we need to consider what the impacts are for these children and be aware of our role in reducing the risk of harm in this vulnerable group.  

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Reddihough Symposium: Disability care in 2023

What does disability care for children and young people look like in 2023, and what could it be like in the future? In 2023 it is more holistic, more funded, more early intervention, more complex, and more positive for children and their families.

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Equity research in Paediatric care: Challenges and opportunities

Unconscious bias can play a role in both clinical care and patient experiences.  Determining the presence and magnitude of inequity can be methodologically challenging in children’s research.  This presentation will frame opportunities to investigate and address inequities through the lens of improvement science using patient safety as a model.

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What happened when we invited design students into the PICU

We are all problem solvers. We are accustomed to applying the scientific method and quality improvement models to deliver better care. Design thinking is an approach to solving problems that emphasizes a human-centred and iterative process to create innovative solutions. Six years ago, we invited design students into the PICU to see if we could find better ways of teaching congenital heart disease. This is the story of that journey.

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NAIDOC Week – For Our Elders: celebrating the valuable contribution of Elders in the work of the Melbourne Children’s Campus

This year’s NAIDOC Week Theme, ‘For Our Elders’ celebrates the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders in all areas of Australia. Please join Melbourne Children’s Campus leaders in Aboriginal and Torres Islander healthcare in a panel discussion about the crucial role that Elders play in our services, programs, care and research. The panel aims to acknowledge and celebrate the often hidden guidance, influence and advocacy of Elders in health.

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Mentally healthy primary schools: A state-wide initiative to increase the capacity of schools to support children

In recent years there has been increasing policy attention paid to child mental health, at a state and national level, given the marked increase in mental health problems in children. In addition to causing distress for children and families, when mental health difficulties are not addressed in a timely way, they can become entrenched and have serious effects into adult life.

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A Culture of Respect is possible: but it doesn’t just happen

Respectful collegial relationships are a foundation for excellent healthcare; disrespect among colleagues limits the potential of efforts on behalf of patients. Rude, condescending, and ostracising acts may look trivial on the surface, but they harm the hospital’s mission and the wellbeing of its people. In this talk Professor Michael Leiter will demonstrate that workgroups can improve their expressions of respect to one another, with benefits for their wellbeing, including reduced burnout and mental distress.

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