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14 July 2008
Sydney Children's Hospital marks important rite of passage
Moving from a paediatric hospital to an adult hospital may not seem like a
big deal, but to those children and families who have been in and out of the one
hospital since birth, the idea of moving on can be a daunting experience.
Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick will hold a special graduation ceremony on
Monday 14 July for eleven long-term adolescent patients, to mark their important
transition to adult services.
The ceremony will be held during the Hospital’s inaugural Transition Awareness
Week (14 -17 July).
Sydney Children’s Hospital’s Director of Clinical Operations, Dr Michael Brydon,
said that as adolescents reach adulthood they outgrow the expertise of
paediatric clinical teams and need to move to an adult health service.
"Like any rite of passage, the transition to adult services marks an important
and challenging time in their young adult lives,” Dr Brydon said.
"With advances in technology and scientific breakthroughs, more and more
children are surviving into adulthood, making the smooth transition to adult
services even more important.”
Dr Brydon said this was a sad but inevitable event, and was often a time of
great anxiety and loss for all concerned, including the Hospital’s staff.
"Many of these patients have been with us for the majority of their lives,” Dr
Brydon said.
"There is no doubt that we share a great deal with families who trust us to help
take care of their children.
"Some moments are incredibly bonding and will live in our memories for many
years to come.”
Dr Brydon said the aim of the Graduation Ceremony was to celebrate shared
achievements and to make the transition a welcoming process, marking an
important milestone in their lives.
The Graduation Ceremonies are unique to Sydney Children’s Hospital, and forms
part of a greater transitional program at the Hospital.
When: Monday 14 July, 2008 at 10.30am
Where: Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
John Beveridge Lecture Theatre, level 1
Who: Eleven long-term adolescent patients, their families and medical staff
Contact: Jessica Jaramillo, Public Affairs on (02) 9382 3578 or 0404 001 722.
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