A new era in care for children in Victoria has begun with the announcement of Monash Children's as the public identity for Southern Health's paediatric services.

Monash Children's encompasses the integrated children’s program of Southern Health across three locations - Monash Medical Centre Clayton, Dandenong Hospital and Casey Hospital.

Monash Medical Centre Clayton is the only designated tertiary paediatric service in Victoria other than the Royal Children’s Hospital. Together with our children’s wards at Dandenong and Casey Hospitals we form the second largest children’s hospital service in Victoria, and the third largest in Australia, located where care is needed in one of the fastest growing parts of Australia.

Our tradition of care dates back for over one hundred years to our origins as the Queen Victoria Hospital in Melbourne, as well as the proud history of the children’s wards at Dandenong and our newest facility Casey.

The new Monash Children's logo uses our dandelion symbol to represent our desire for all children to grow, to wish, and to live their lives to the fullest.

We hold children in our care and release them into the world with our wish for a healthy, fulfilling life. All parents, families and friends will be reminded of the special time of hope that is childhood and the importance of giving the very best of care.

Shelly Park
Chief Executive

Monash Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC) located at Monash Medical Centre in a purpose built facility provides a refreshing and innovative approach to paediatric cancer care for patients and families in the region without traveling to the City.

Day treatment and general anaesthetic procedures in the special “GA” room are all handled within the centre and include: chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, bone marrow, dressings, nasal gastric tube changes etc.

The centre maintains linkages with the Royal Children’s Hospital and some staff work across both sites. The overall feel of the centre is friendly, relaxed and caring with a group of dedicated and passionate staff.

Referrals
GPs with concerns about suspected cancers in paediatric patients can contact the centre to discuss their cases between 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday. Triaging is provided at this point and patients will be seen as soon as required – for urgent cases this can be the same day or early the following day. Patients do not need to attend ED and can present directly to the CCC (after GP referral).

Exclusions
The centre cannot accommodate patients with orthopaedic tumours, those requiring intensive chemotherapy with stem cell support, or those requiring bone marrow transplants.

Key Contacts

• Dr Peter Downie, Head of Childrens Cancer Centre
• Ms Katie Walsh – Clinical Nurse Consultant, CCC
  
  P: 03 9594 7660
  F: 03 9594 6292
  
  

Service	Paediatric GP Advice Line - Children's program
Service description	A dedicated telephone line 1800 623 483 for GPs to obtain advice from the Paediatrician on call at MMC Clayton
Eligibility criteria	GPs only
Cost	Nil
Referral process	GPs can ring a dedicated hotline 1800 623 483 and ask to be put through to the Paediatrician on Call.  They will either be put through directly or the Paediatrician will call back as soon as they are able. GPs should use this service when: They are concerned about a paediatric patient <16years who lives in the Southern Health catchment area They are dealing with an acute paediatric medical problem Consultant Paediatric opinion is required for diagnosis or management Telephone consultation is all that is required for GP to continue management of patient If advice is normally sort from a private paediatrician, this practice should continue.  If the patient required urgent attention, the emergency department should be contacted on 9594 2430. NB: GP’s are requested to refer onto this service using the Victorian Statewide Referral Form housed in most clinical software.  More information on VSRF – www.gpv.org.au then click on Resources or contact your local Divisions of General Practice.
Last updated and approved	May 2006

Southern Health's implementation of “Vulnerable Babies, Children and Young People at Risk of Harm: Best Practice Framework for Acute Health Settings” DHS 2006 demonstrates the commitment of all Southern Health staff to working together to keep our children and young people safe.

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/childrenatrisk