The NSW Government has announced it will establish a new statewide institute dedicated to strengthening the care provided to children who sustain traumatic injuries.
Over recent years, NSW has faced paediatric trauma events of unprecedented scale and complexity. These incidents have highlighted the need for a specialised institute focused on paediatric trauma research, education, and system-wide capability building, the Government said in a statement.
A $500,000 investment from the Government will support the establishment of the NSW Institute for Paediatric Trauma, which will bring together clinicians, researchers, and specialists to deliver advanced specialised trauma training and simulations to hospitals and health services across the state.
“The events that occurred at Bondi Beach and at Bondi Junction have forever left their mark on NSW. Seeing the way in which our frontline workers and clinicians responded to these events with such courage and professionalism was nothing short of remarkable,” said Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
“We are lucky to have some of the country’s most highly skilled paediatric trauma specialists at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. This new Institute will make the most of that, ensuring we can share that expertise with clinicians and health services across NSW.
“We know we won’t always be able to prevent trauma events, but we can make sure we are ready to respond when children and families need us most. By focusing on research, education and outreach, and clinical excellence, this Institute will help make NSW a leader in this space.”
Working alongside hospitals, retrieval services and emergency response partners, the Institute will help prepare clinical teams for complex paediatric trauma presentations, ensuring injured children receive the best possible care wherever they live.
The Institute will also support:
- Clinical care from injury and emergency treatment through to rehabilitation and recovery;
- Research into paediatric trauma care, outcomes, and prevention;
- Clinical guidance and quality improvement, including defining best-practice approaches and supporting NSW Health decision-making;
- Injury prevention initiatives informed by research, trauma data and clinical experience.
Based at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, the Institute will build on the expertise of nation-leading trauma specialists from across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, including The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service.
The Institute will aim to ensure the right expertise, systems and partnerships are in place across the health system to help improve outcomes for injured children.
The NSW Institute for Paediatric Trauma will complement and enhance the work of the Agency for Clinical Innovation’s Institute of Trauma and Injury Management, which provides coordination and support for the entire NSW Trauma System.
“We already provide excellent trauma care for children in NSW, but there is an opportunity to build on that expertise and make sure families get the right care and support, wherever they are in the state,” said Co-Director of Trauma Services at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Guy Henry.
“Children aren’t small adults. Their bodies, injuries and clinical needs are different, and caring for a seriously injured child can be very different from caring for an injured adult. It takes specific expertise, skills and experience.
“The Institute will bring together our clinical expertise, research and data so we can learn from every serious injury, improve the care we provide and train together for the events we hope will never happen.”
The NSW Institute of Paediatric Trauma will also be supported by philanthropy through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
“Every parent hopes they never receive the call that their child has been seriously injured. When the unthinkable happens, families need access to the very best care, delivered by highly skilled teams who are prepared for the most complex situations,” said Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, Kristina Keneally.
“This new Institute is an investment in better outcomes for children across NSW, and it is only possible “because government, clinicians, researchers and the community are working together.
“Through the generosity of our supporters, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation is proud to help ensure injured children receive the care they need, when and where they need it most.”
The Institute is expected to be up and running within the next six months.
