When most people think of hospital care for children, they picture the Emergency Department. However, Bayside Health Service also provides specialised paediatric Allied Health services that support local families every day.
Director of Allied Health Michael Harris said behind the scenes at your local hospital there are many Allied Health services helping children thrive.
“Our specialised paediatric team work with infants who have complex medical needs,” he said.
The team includes speech pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and social workers all working together to support children and families closer to home.
“For premature babies, our dietitians provide individualised feeding plans to support nutrition and growth for preterm babies, this helps to support the growth that normally occurs in the womb, on the outside," Michael said.
“Speech Pathologists help infants and their families with feeding.
“They help infants to develop skills with swallowing, to help with being able to feed safely to meet their nutritional needs.
“Later, physiotherapists may support them as they learn to roll, sit, crawl, and walk.
“Occupational Therapy helps infants to develop their social interactions, early thinking and problem solving, their hand skills and their play skills.
"Our social worker also supports parents caring for babies with complex needs, assisting families to adjust and connecting them with the right supports and services."