NEW BOOK AND DVD TO HELP CHILDREN THROUGH HOSPITAL
Published Thursday, 13 September, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Children booked for surgery will be more comfortable and better informed about what will happen to them when they receive a new book and DVD before their stay in hospital.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Karen Struthers, today launched the ‘My trip to hospital’ book and DVD package which was developed by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ms Struthers said the personalised book was full of fun exercises, hospital jokes and stories about the Royal Children’s Hospital while the DVD took young patients on a tour through the hospital.
“A stay in hospital can be daunting for anyone but that uneasiness is magnified for our youngest patients,” Ms Struthers said.
“Much of the tension arises simply because they are not familiar with what is going on around them.
“This package will reduce stress on children who are scheduled for hospital admission for a night or longer and make them feel a lot more comfortable about what to expect.
“Doctors agree that the treatment of a child will be far more effective if the patient is relaxed and aware of what is happening.
“This positive effect is two-fold if the parents are also relaxed, aware of what is happening and can more effectively show their children that there is nothing to be worried about.”
Five books have been produced for different age groups from three years and younger to 12 years and older.
A Royal Children’s Hospital nurse co-authored the DVD script and authored all five books with a doctor co-authoring the book for three years and younger.
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital multimedia team finished the graphic design.
Ms Struthers said each child who is electively admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital (approximately 8,000 patients) would be given copies of the book and DVD.
“They are children who are not admitted unexpectedly as a result of an accident or sudden illness,” she said.
“They will receive the package before admission so they can read the book and view the DVD in the comfort and security of their own home.
“The package will also be available on the Foundation website - www.workingwonders.com.au - for other hospitals to use for their own patients.
“It could also be circulated more widely such as for educational purposes in schools.”
Ms Struthers said the Royal Children’s Hospital admitted nearly 17,000 patients each year for stays of at least one night.
“This does not count the many other children who regularly visit the hospital each and every day as an outpatient or who only receive treatment in the hospital’s emergency department,” she said.
A $25,625 grant from the hospital foundation funded the package and with additional services donated by several media companies including acting, filming, formatting and editing.
13 September, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Karen Struthers, today launched the ‘My trip to hospital’ book and DVD package which was developed by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ms Struthers said the personalised book was full of fun exercises, hospital jokes and stories about the Royal Children’s Hospital while the DVD took young patients on a tour through the hospital.
“A stay in hospital can be daunting for anyone but that uneasiness is magnified for our youngest patients,” Ms Struthers said.
“Much of the tension arises simply because they are not familiar with what is going on around them.
“This package will reduce stress on children who are scheduled for hospital admission for a night or longer and make them feel a lot more comfortable about what to expect.
“Doctors agree that the treatment of a child will be far more effective if the patient is relaxed and aware of what is happening.
“This positive effect is two-fold if the parents are also relaxed, aware of what is happening and can more effectively show their children that there is nothing to be worried about.”
Five books have been produced for different age groups from three years and younger to 12 years and older.
A Royal Children’s Hospital nurse co-authored the DVD script and authored all five books with a doctor co-authoring the book for three years and younger.
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital multimedia team finished the graphic design.
Ms Struthers said each child who is electively admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital (approximately 8,000 patients) would be given copies of the book and DVD.
“They are children who are not admitted unexpectedly as a result of an accident or sudden illness,” she said.
“They will receive the package before admission so they can read the book and view the DVD in the comfort and security of their own home.
“The package will also be available on the Foundation website - www.workingwonders.com.au - for other hospitals to use for their own patients.
“It could also be circulated more widely such as for educational purposes in schools.”
Ms Struthers said the Royal Children’s Hospital admitted nearly 17,000 patients each year for stays of at least one night.
“This does not count the many other children who regularly visit the hospital each and every day as an outpatient or who only receive treatment in the hospital’s emergency department,” she said.
A $25,625 grant from the hospital foundation funded the package and with additional services donated by several media companies including acting, filming, formatting and editing.
13 September, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185