RPA BABY MATTERS
RPA
Newborn
Care
SPRING 2014
NICU Spring Parade
Dr Ingrid Rieger
RPA Newborn Care’s Spring Parade was held this year on
Wednesday 17 September on a perfectly sunny day. We
were delighted to have Mem Fox as our guest of honour this
year. Mem delighted the young, and the not-so-young alike,
reading several of her award winning children’s books.
Whether it was finding the Green Sheep, Possum Magic,
Hattie and the Fox, or Baby Bedtime, Mem’s magic brought
them all to life captivating everyone’s imagination. It was
beautiful watching the children’s faces and expressions as
they were transported through the magic of stories. To many
mums and dads meeting Mem and listening to her stories
brought wonderful memories.
The children, dressed as their favourite storybook or nursery
rhyme character, took part in the parade in front of judges
Narelle Vakalaros and Angela McGillivray who had the
difficult task of choosing two winners, a boy and a girl, in the
2, 3 and 4 year old categories. Channel 7 News were there
to film the children with their winning smiles and contagious
laughter – what better feel good story can you possibly have!
A big Thank You to Mem Fox for coming from Adelaide
and generously donating her time to RPA Newborn Care.
Mem’s accommodation in Sydney was generously provided
by Rydges Camperdown. The day was also an opportunity
to buy Mem’s books and have them
signed by her. We are grateful to
Gleebooks for providing the books
and donating a percentage of all
sales to RPA Newborn Care.
We are most grateful to Little
Wonder for once again generously
sponsoring the Spring Parade.
Mem Fox signing books
To purchase pictures of the Spring Parade please email
[email protected]
Slinky Malinki giving an
interview to Channel 7 News
Ingrid Rieger, RPA Newborn Care, Deborah Willcox,
General Manager RPA Hospital, Dahlia Brigham and Mem Fox
Patrick the green sheep and it’s now
time to have a chocolate cupcake!
This was such a good story!
Narelle Vakalaros from
Little Wonder with Shirley
and Dahlia from
RPA Newborn Care
This is my
new book!
Mem Fox with Saoirse who just
!
couldn’t wait for her favourite story
Fireman Pietro
Ninja Turle with his mum and sister
Coby is one cool dude!
Amelia with mum Margaret
The littlest green sheep with mum and dad
Saoirse McCormick Golf Day 2014
Conor McCormick
Proudly supporting the work of RPA Newborn Care
Saoirse McCormick is truly a miracle that has benefited from
research, science and the unfailing dedication of the RPA
Newborn Care team and it is because of their efforts in
saving Saoirse, sick and pre-term babies like her, that we
now come together for the 2nd year running, to raise funds
for vital research and to promote the amazing work this unit
does each and every day in giving newborns an opportunity
to thrive. Saoirse McCormick is one of those babies, now a
thriving, happy and healthy 2 year old “little rocket”, doing
everything that she should be doing for her corrected age
which is 4 months less than her actual birthday.
Last year, our inaugural Saoirse McCormick Golf Day
raised over $70,000.00 to support RPA Newborn Care and
again this year we seek your support. Your attendance at
this event will make an enormous difference to the future
resources available to our babies whilst being treated at
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
• Premium economy flights to London on Qantas Airways,
4 nights at the Bonnington Hotel n Dubai, 4 nights in
central London, car hire and dinner for two the 2 Michelin
starred Dinner By Heston Blumenthal
• A team at the Australian Ladies Open Pro Am at Royal
Melbourne, inclusive of accommodation
• Cooking class for 8 with Colin Fassnidge from My Kitchen
Rules and then sit down with him afterwards to eat what
you cooked and have a vino or two
• A ladies Tag Heuer watch
• A mens Tag Heuer watch
• NRL and AFL signed shirts
A massive thank you to our early bird sponsors & supporters
– Telstra, Qantas, Toyota, Genea, Tag Heuer, TJ’s Butcher
Block & Deli, Adara Hotels & Apartments, Southern Cross
Protection, Golf Australia, FRP Group, Indian Palace
Restaurant, Mi9, Four Fourteen, Real Safe Candles, Victoire,
Auto Europe & Bonnington Towers!
On Thursday 16th October 2014 the 2nd Saoise McCormick
Golf Day will again be held at Bonnie Doon Golf Club. The
golf day commences at 11:30am with a BBQ brunch, tee-off
is at 12:30 and followed by a gala 3 course dinner at 6pm.
The dinner includes an auction, raffle, guest speakers, live
entertainment and there are amazing prizes up for grabs.
There is also a hole in one prize of a Toyota Kluger!
For a team of 4 players for the entire package the cost
is $1,200.00 and individual tickets are also available.
Sponsorship packages are also still available at
varying levels. To book your spot at the dinner, register
to play, or make sponsorship enquiries please visit
www.saoirsemccormickgolfday.com.au or via email to
[email protected]
If you cannot attend you still have the opportunity to
bid on our amazing auction items, details of which
can be found on our website. Bidding is easy – simply
email us with your maximum bid amount and we will
appoint an independent bidder to act on your behalf
on the night.
NURSING DEPARTMENT NEWS
Saoirse Golf Day Cup
Registration
Gala Dinner 2013
McCormick Golf Day 2013
Simon Burke & Lyndy Dixon, Nursing Unit Managers
2014 continues to be a very busy year for us, Alaina Hesp,
Cassie Malloy and Amanda Zhang are currently working
through their Grad Certificate in Neonatal Intensive Care
Nursing. We welcome Cathy Littler to work alongside with Kim
Suttor, Jill Thomas and many other Nursing staff from our unit to
work as one of the theatre Midwives.
As a unit, we were part of a successful reaccreditation for Baby
Friendly Health Initiative which recognises our strong ethos
in keeping mothers and babies together as much as possible
within the constraints of patients’ health care issues.
RPAH Newborn Care was showcased at the Yaralla Estate
Festival Open Day on 16th August. Lyndy Dixon, Anne Marie
Jones, Ashley Denness, Cassie Molloy, Lydia Fung and Tracey
Halliday put a fantastic display of photographs showing past
and present babies and equipment for people to view. The
baby dolls with the ECG leads, eye pads and oxygen saturation
probes were particularly popular and the Donor Breast Milk
Program was of great
interest. The stand
also had an added
bonus of beautiful
homemade goodies
prepared by the staff
which is always a
great attraction to
adults and children
alike.
Simon Burke
Lyndy Dixon
iSAIL Clinic in Partnership with Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
Dr Adrienne Gordon
Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club has become RPA Women
and Babies’ principal partner in establishing the first clinic in
NSW to provide an integrated support system for families who
have experienced pregnancy and infant loss – iSAIL Clinic.
The death of an infant is recognised as one of the most
stressful life events an adult may experience. These deaths also
significantly affect health professionals who care for the baby
and family.
A recent survey of US based obstetricians found that 10% of
obstetricians considered giving up obstetric practice because
of the emotional difficulty in caring for patients who had
experienced perinatal loss. Our own recently completed Sydney
Stillbirth Study demonstrated that families have a great need for
support and require information which was highly influenced
by: professional support, personal support, and environment.
A common theme was the family’s desire and need to be seen
for longer, in an appropriate setting and to have access to
specialised bereavement support.
Around 80 families per year in the Sydney Local Heath
District experience the death of a child at birth or shortly
afterwards. These families require significant engagement
with multiple health professionals to answer questions, perform
investigations, support the bereavement process and provide
counsel regarding future pregnancies.
RPA Women and Babies together with RPA Newborn Care are
extremely grateful to Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club for
generously providing seed funding to establish the iSAIL Clinic,
a highly specialised perinatal loss clinic.
The clinic will provide an integrated support system for families
who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. It will be a
multidisciplinary best practice service to facilitate management,
care, support and education to bereaved families.
The iSAIL clinic will be established with a part time clinic
manager and a specialised bereavement counselor.
The clinic’s location is yet to be finalised, however it will be in
an appropriate setting away from the general antenatal clinics
at RPA Hospital. Ongoing support and information will be
provided to families as will staff education and support.
The iSAIL Clinic will be the first of its kind in NSW.
Paul Kougias from Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
Robert Ogle, Director Women and Babies,
Dean Thomas, CEO Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
Dean Thomas, CEO Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
and Ingrid Rieger from RPA Newborn Care
(from left to right) Paul Kougias from Canterbury Hurlstone Park
RSL Club, Nick Evans and Ingrid Rieger from RPA Newborn Care,
Robert Ogle, Director Women and Babies, Diana Bond, Adrienne
Gordon from RPA Newborn Care and Dean Thomas, CEO
Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
The three M’s
Dr Crista Wocadlo
Children born very preterm can have a number of difficulties
when they begin school. The most frequent difficulties centre
on reading, spelling, mathematics, motor co-ordination,
regulating attention and emotions, and getting on with
others their own age.
Traditionally children with such difficulties are referred to
conventional therapies, such as speech therapy, occupational
therapy, physiotherapy or psychological therapy. In the school
environment they often found themselves being withdrawn
from class and using special educational services. Each of
these approaches are excellent for specific problem areas,
but despite the best efforts of therapists, many children still
find adaptation to school difficult.
How do we assist children to integrate skills and make
adapting to the complex social and learning environment in
the classroom easier?
In recent years we have been trying to understanding how
children grow their brain, and how to support optimal brain
development. Surprisingly, research has become focused
on activities that people have participated in for centuries.
These are what we have called the three M’s.
MUSIC:
All children in every culture of the world sing and make music. Why? Is it just fun?
Evidence from neuroscience suggests that participating in music (that is singing or
playing a musical instrument) changes and enhances the way the brain analyses sound.
This leads to better understanding of speech sounds and finally to the sounds inside
words (understanding phonemes) which is a large part of learning literacy in the first
years of school.
More than just sound however, music uses rhythm. Rhythm has been found to be
associated with reading fluency, so not the accuracy but the speed and ‘smoothness’ of
reading. Studies now show that music education can assist children who are dyslexic, in
developing better reading skills.
For those children not particularly interested in music, drama can also act as a means to
improve spoken language, problem-solving, creativity, flexibility, confidence and social
skills (currently being fully evaluated in a 12 country study in Europe).
MOVEMENT:
It is hard to imagine that movement could help learning skills, but it does!!
Studies show that learning traditional martial arts significantly improves motor
co-ordination and balance. But more than that it has been shown to help self
control of emotions and behaviour and improve complex reasoning in the
classroom. This is beneficial to all learning, but most especially to mathematics.
Now martial arts isn’t for everyone, and so the suggestion is to participate in a
structured, co-ordinated activity of movement. A non-combative martial art such
as Tai Chi can be good. Alternatively dancing (such as tap, jazz or ballet - that
is, a structured dance class) or gymnastics is recommended. While team sports
such as soccer or basketball, improve fitness and physical self-esteem, and teach
children to work together to achieve a goal (!), they have not been shown to
assist learning in the same way as martial arts.
MEDITATION:
This is a term that can be a little misleading, but what we really mean is free play. All
children play, it is the way they learn how to be themselves, and how to belong to
the group in which they will live. It teaches them their limits, and it helps them relax.
The recommendation here is for NO BATTERIES (so nothing electronic) and where
ever possible (in a safe environment) NO PARENTS or ADULT SUPERVISION. This
is a time for children to relax, use their imagination, make up their own games and
explore the world for themselves. (It should also give you time to sit down and have
a cuppa, and relax!!).
We should add here that activities such as Yoga and Meditation have shown
beneficial effects on learning and emotions. So if this suits the child in your life,
please participate in these activities. [But also leave room for free play].
In the complex world that surrounds us, we need to give more attention to ‘destressing’ and learning to take life at a calmer and more relaxed pace. Time to look
around and see what is there. Time to think about all that has happened and what it
could mean. Time to appreciate how lucky we are to be here, together.
Any questions? Contact us:
Dr Crista Wocadlo
[email protected]
Dr Ingrid Rieger
[email protected]
or 02 9515 8760
Developmental Follow- Up Clinic,
RPA Newborn Care
Little Wonder Parents
Fundraising Committee
RPA Newborn Care
The Little Wonder calendar is continuing to keep
us very busy for 2014!
In early May we watched Little Wonder friend Mark Weir
compete in the IronMan Australia at Port Macquarie. Thank you
so much Mark for all your efforts in training, competing and
fundraising for us! We are so very proud!
Also in May was Little Wonder Annual High Tea at Doltone
House, Darling Island Wharf. It was an amazing day, with
record attendance of lovely ladies arriving to show their support
for RPA Newborn Care. In addition to a fabulous High Tea there
were amazing auction and raffle items up fro grabs and we
were delighted to have Dr Ingrid Rieger speak about toddler
development on behalf of RPA Newborn Care!
We were just bursting with pride earlier this year, our Little
Wonder President, Rebecca Morgan, won the prestigious
Cali Award, and our Vice-President, Narelle Vakalaros, was
announced as a finalist in the Mother & Baby Mother of the Year
Awards, both being recognized for their contribution to Little
Wonder and highlighting the amazing work that RPA Newborn
Care does each and every day in caring for our babies.
Well done!
On the 11th August we had a fantastic group of NICU parents,
families and friends participate in the City to Surf 2014, all
representing Little Wonder. To all those that competed, sponsored
and supported a massive thank you! This event not only raises
much needed funds but also raises awareness and without our
supporters our ongoing team participation in this event would
not be possible.
Earlier this year we were thrilled to be able to put some of
our raised funds to very good use and purchase 3 Symphony
Medela Breast Pumps and 1 Laerdel Neonatal Intubation Trainer
for RPA Newborn Care. In addition to these purchases our
regular NICU gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
were also prepared and distributed – with thanks to the NICU
staff that place these by each crib at the right time and to all of
our gift donors!
Thank you to the families who have delivered to us cot linen, knits,
baby clothes, peanut pillows and toys. All of these donations are
greatly appreciated and make a difference to families in the unit.
What next?
Little Wonder will be again assisting with the Saoirse McCormick
Golf Day 2014. The date for your diaries is Thursday 16th
October 2014. For more details visit www.littlewonder.org.au
November 17th 2014 is World Prematurity Day and Little
Wonder plans to turn RPA purple (for a little while at least!). In
addition to running market stalls within the hospital for this week,
we will have an information stand within the front lobby and
provide purple linen for the all NICU cribs, in addition to a very
cute little purple gift! Be sure to pop in and say hello and don
the purple!
Little Wonder is always looking for enthusiastic and passionate
volunteers to assist us in fundraising and parent support activities.
There are a number of ways that you can help with varying
degrees of commitment required. Volunteering your time and
skills is a very rewarding experience and a wonderful way to
meet new people and have fun whilst supporting a worthy cause.
It’s also an opportunity for you to share new experiences and
learn new skills. If you are able to assist us in supporting RPA
Newborn Care please drop us a line at [email protected]
Want to connect with Little Wonder?
www.littlewonder.org.au
www.facebook.com/littlewonderrpa
With warm wishes,
The Little Wonder team
Little Wonder Committee - High Tea 2014
One of our favourite events of the year is always the Spring
Parade and Little Wonder was bursting with excitement to sponsor
the event again this year and assist in obtaining a very special
guest, Mem Fox. Seeing NICU graduates grow and develop
serves as a valuable reminder of why we volunteer our time to
support RPA Newborn Care and is a much valued experience for
the NICU staff. Mem Fox was brilliant and her stories delighted
all those present, both children and adults. To all those families
that attended we hope you enjoyed the day as much as we
enjoyed hosting it.
Spring Parade
Thank You to Our Supporters
We wish to sincerely thank each and every one of our donors
for their wonderful support. Your kindness and generosity
allows us to purchase much needed life saving equipment
for our newborn intensive care unit. Your ongoing support
helps us provide the best possible care to babies and
families and have the best life saving equipment for critically
ill babies.
Our Monthly Donors
We especially wish to thank our regular monthly donors
for their loyalty, foresight and ongoing support. Monthly
donations greatly assist RPA Newborn Care in planning the
purchase of equipment and meeting the ongoing needs of
our newborn intensive care department.
To organise a monthly donation, please contact
Dahlia Brigham on 9515 8456 or email
[email protected]
Little Wonder our parents fundraising committee for their
wonderful and ongoing fundraising support throughout
the year. Thank you to all parents, families and friends
for supporting Little Wonder. Please consider joining Little
Wonder, you will be helping to support the work of RPA
Newborn Care and have a great time with a tremendous
team of dedicated volunteers.
Petersham RSL for their significant funding contribution to the
newborn transport system.
Home away from Home
St Marks Quilters, Darling Point for the most
beautiful hand-made quilts for our babies in
NICU, HDU and the nursery. Thank you for your
generosity and the love sewn in each quilt.
CTAL Rolling Fund for their generous support
through Adam Cawley whose beautiful daughter Di Jobbins and
Addison was in NICU five years ago.
Di Bracey from
Tattersalls Club, City of Sydney RSL & Community St Marks Quilters
Club and Bowlers Club at 99 On York for their
funding contribution to the newborn transport system.
Rowe Family in memory of Brody for
funding neonatology books for the
nursing unit library.
We also wish to thank:
In alphabetical order
• Crows Nest Centre volunteers
for the adorable crocheted
The NICU Nursing team with
the books funded by the Rowe
outfits.
family in memory of Brody
• Gleebooks, Glebe for their
support of the Spring Parade.
• Heartfelt for generously donating a camera to RPA
Newborn Care.
• JuJu Catering: for the coffee cart and gourmet coffee
enjoyed by all at the Spring Parade.
• Lynne Gordon for her beautiful sewing and generous
supply of bright nursery linen.
• Rydges, Camperdown for providing comfortable
accommodation for Mem Fox in Sydney.
Rebecca Parsons, Social Worker
Many families in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
come from country NSW or interstate, and often have to
stay in Sydney for several weeks while their babies are in
intensive care. This causes a significant amount of stress
and disruption to families. As a result parents and children
often remain separated for long periods of time, which
inevitably takes its toll on the family unit both financially and
emotionally.
The only on site accommodation RPA Hospital provides for
longer term stays is a two-bedroom hostel for mothers only.
This facility does not allow other family members to stay, has
no cooking facilities and provide limited privacy.
RPA Newborn Care is now liaising with serviced apartments
and potential funding bodies to provide accommodation
options for the 80 to 100 families per year who live 100 km
or more from RPA Hospital’s catchment area.
The Home Away from Home Program aims to make this
very stressful time a little easier for families who are
experiencing financial difficulties, by assisting them with the
cost of accommodation. This will enable family members to
be together in a private and comfortable environment at a
difficult time when they need each other most.
Research supports that admission to the NICU can
emotionally impact a family in both the short and the long
term; this is especially the case for parents with mental
health issues. This is often a period of significant and acute
stress further exacerbated when home is a long distance
from RPAH and their baby is in hospital for an extended
period of time.
The objective of RPA Newborn Care’s Home Away from
Home Program is to provide the
funds required to ensure all NICU
families get the support and respite
they need at a time when they
are experiencing acute stress and
disruption. The pilot program costs
$15,000 for which we ask and
hope for your support.
On behalf of these families, we thank
you in advance for your support.
Rebecca Parsons
Contact Us
Address:
RPA Newborn Care
RPA Women & Babies
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Missenden Rd
Camperdown
NSW 2050
Australia
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: +61 2 9515 8248
NICU & HDU: +61 2 9515 8459
Special Care: +61 2 9515 8897
Outpatients: +61 2 9515 8760
Home Support Team: +61 2 9515 6435
Fundraising: +61 2 9515 8456
Post:
RPA Newborn Care
Reply Paid 193
Missenden Road NSW 2050
Fax:
+61 2 9550 4375