In the heart of South West Sydney, a transformation is taking place. In this rapidly growing community, demand for children's services has surged, and, in response, the South West Local Health District (SWSLHD) is expanding paediatric services.
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is excited to partner with SWSLHD to ensure the most vulnerable population from this rapidly expanding region has access to the right medical equipment when they need it the most.
Campbelltown Hospital’s reach extends across Camden, Campbelltown, and Wollondilly Local Government areas, collectively known as Macarthur. The surge in children's hospital visits has been remarkable, with a 50% increase in the paediatric population projected over a decade from 2016-26 to 90,000 annually.
(L) Dr. Raymond Chin and newborn at Campbelltown Hospital; (R - Top) Newborn Auditory Testing at Campbelltown Hospital; (R - Bottom) Grant Isedale, General Manager Campbelltown & Camden Hospitals
The driving force behind the increased number of children seeking medical attention is multifaceted. Lockdowns and social distancing measures between 2020-22 have kept children sheltered from common illnesses. Additionally, the region is experiencing a population boom, with new land releases and affordable housing attracting young families. The landscape has also shifted from seasonal fluctuations to a continuous influx of young patients presenting with a variety of health problems.
At the forefront of South West LHD's transformation is Grant Isedale, who has served as the General Manager for Campbelltown Hospital and Camden Hospital for the past two years.
One of the striking aspects of this evolution in South West Sydney is the expansion of services in the paediatric specialty space, particularly in Campbelltown. Here, the medical teams care for children with a higher severity of health conditions than other sites within the LHD. In the near future, Campbelltown Hospital also intends to offer a broader range of paediatric services, including neurology, respiratory, gastroenterology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, cardiology, nuclear medicine and plastics.
'In essence, the goal is to provide care closer to home and accommodate the needs of families and children in the region, eliminating the need for frequent long journeys to access healthcare,' said Grant.
Campbelltown Hospital has become a vital hub for paediatric care, especially as it consistently sees more children than most hospitals in New South Wales. The Emergency Department (ED) alone at Campbelltown treats 60-70 children per day, making it one of the busiest in the state.
The hospital currently boasts a dedicated 12-bed paediatric area within the ED, staffed by paediatric emergency specialists and specialised paediatric nurses. It also has three inpatient units, a dedicated ambulatory care unit, an outpatient services floor and a specialised surgical unit, with plans to introduce new specialties like neurology and gastroenterology. Upon full commissioning, Campbelltown Hospital will expand to accommodate approximately 60 inpatient beds and up to 32 beds in Special Care, ensuring local children receive the care they need without travelling to Westmead or Randwick in Sydney.
The development of the South West Kids Strategy, in collaboration with Sydney Children's Hospital Network, is another significant step forward. This initiative aims to create capacity for paediatric care closer to home and relieve the burden on families who often must travel long distances for treatment. The end goal is for South West Kids to be able to support Goulburn, the Illawarra and other parts of Southern NSW to close the healthcare gap in these regions.
Dr Raymond Chin, Director of Paediatric and Neonatal Care, South West Sydney LHD says, 'Challenges still remain, particularly in securing high-end specialties that complement patient care and reduce the need for children to travel long distances to distant hospitals. However, we can take comfort in knowing that the Sydney Children's Hospital Network has our back with the South West Kids initiative, designed to bolster capacity and foster collaboration.’
Like all public hospitals, Campbelltown Hospital relies on donations from charitable funds to augment its budgets. Organisations like the Humpty Dumpty Foundation have played a significant role in supporting the hospital by providing additional resources for medical equipment and specialised care.
Dr Raymond Chin says, 'Humpty’s support provides us with access to new technology and equipment that improves our newborn care. For some of the hospitals in the district, it has been challenging to get new equipment. The right equipment encourages nurses and other clinical staff to stay in those units. Equipment drives innovation, teaching and learning and is also a very important factor in retaining staff because sometimes staff look to move to bigger centres, but if they have access to the right equipment, then the skills they acquire will stay in local hospitals and they will train the next generation.'
The transformation of paediatric care in Campbelltown reflects the hospital's commitment to serving its community and providing essential healthcare services, ensuring that children and their families receive the support they need, no matter where they live.
Nurse & Child at play at the South West Kids Initiative
'We are in our infancy in this period of growth. We have a great plan to move forward, and I’m looking forward to what the next five years is going to bring for Campbelltown and Camden Hospitals,' said Grant Isedale.
As the hospital continues to expand its services and infrastructure, the future of paediatric care in the South West Sydney area appears brighter than ever.
By Rebekah McLachlan
Director of Medical Programs and Sector Engagement at Humpty