The Children's Hospital at Westmead

06/03/2026

Champions4Children | Dr Iain Perkes is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist who played a key role in establishing the OCD BOUNCE clinical team.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects around 1 in 30 Australians, or about 750,000 people. Through OCD BOUNCE, Iain and the clinical team provide specialised care for some of the most complex cases of paediatric OCD, while also building capacity in community mental health services through education and training.

“There are several elements to my role,” Iain explains. “I assess severe and complex cases of paediatric OCD alongside a team of exceptional clinical psychologists. We spend time with families and young people understanding how OCD is affecting their lives and then develop tailored recommendations.”

The team also works closely with community mental health services to deliver intensive cognitive behavioural therapy and facilitate complex case discussions with clinicians, helping strengthen knowledge and improve care.

“I love working in paediatrics because, if I’m honest, it’s fun. Children and young people bring such joy, curiosity and wonder. What I find most rewarding is seeing the impact treatment can have — whether it’s a young person returning to school or reconnecting with friends. It’s a privilege to be part of that transformation.”

One young patient, Rosalee, developed OCD after the passing of her grandpa. Once an outgoing student and school captain, she began experiencing severe contamination fears that made attending school distressing. After her condition remained unchanged despite seeking support elsewhere, Rosalee was referred to the OCD BOUNCE program. Following six weeks of intensive support, she gained a deeper understanding of OCD and the confidence to manage the challenges ahead.

Her mother, Brielle, says Rosalee is not ashamed of her condition and hopes to advocate for others facing similar struggles.

“Seeing Rosalee recognise the impact of the program and feel motivated to share that message with others was incredibly powerful,” says Iain. “That was a real standout moment.”

04/03/2026

🤧 Flu season is almost here and we know that means more sick little ones at home.

When your child wakes up with a sore throat, runny nose or fever, it’s tempting to think: “Do they need antibiotics?”

But here's the truth: Colds and the flu are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only work against bacteria. That means antibiotics won’t help your child recover from a viral infection.

So what will help them feel better?

⏳ Rest. Give their body time to fight the infection.
💧 Fluids. Keep them well hydrated.
🌡️ Pain & fever relief if needed (ask us if you’re unsure what’s suitable).

Most children start to improve within a few days. However, if symptoms are severe, getting worse, or not improving, it’s important to seek medical advice 👩‍⚕️.

03/03/2026

Today is World Hearing Day 👂

It’s a reminder of how important hearing is for children to connect, communicate and participate fully in the world around them.

At the Sydney Children's Hospital Network, our Audiology and hearing services teams work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive. We recognise the dedicated professionals who support children with hearing loss and their families every day, providing family-centred, equitable and culturally respectful care.

Hearing loss can develop at any age, so ongoing monitoring is important. Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference.

If you notice any of the following signs, it’s worth speaking with your GP about your child’s hearing:
- seems to “miss” sounds
- has frequent ear infections
- turns up the volume on devices
- asks for you to repeat things often
- feels overwhelmed in noisy environments

Your GP can advise on the next steps, including referral to appropriate local hearing services.

A simple hearing check could make a world of difference.

02/03/2026

🤕 A playground tumble can turn fun into a worry, but thankfully instant health advice is just a call away.

📞 If your child needs non-urgent medical assistance, call Healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222, anytime of day or night. A registered nurse will help connect you to the right place so your child can get the care they need.

28/02/2026

Happy Mardi Gras 🌈

This Mardi Gras, we celebrate diversity and proudly champion inclusion and belonging across our community.

To find out more, visit, https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/lgbtiq-health

27/02/2026

When Abel was born at just 32 weeks and five days, he was critically unwell and doctors were still working to understand how best to help him.

But rapid genomic testing uncovered a diagnosis that may otherwise have taken years to figure out.

Abel was diagnosed with Cantu syndrome - a very rare genetic condition. For his family, having a diagnosis brought relief. That early recognition opened the door to an experimental therapy that has helped change his future.

In his early years Abel required complex medical support, but today he is eight and is embracing childhood – he loves comics, bike riding and tennis, and proudly takes on his role as big brother to his sister, Ebony.

The impact of his treatment has been significant.

“Sharing stories like Abel’s helps people see what’s possible - and how much hope there is,” his mum, Melanie said.

Access to rapid genomic testing is helping more families receive answers sooner – informing treatment and opening the door to therapies that may not otherwise have been considered.

On Rare Disease Day, we support families, like Abel’s to help navigate the unknown, to ensure every child, no matter how rare their condition, can thrive.

To read Abel’s story, visit, https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/articles/2026/02/abels-rare-journey

26/02/2026

Big things are coming for children’s healthcare in Western Sydney.

More than 350 families, staff and supporters recently came together for a first look inside our new 14-storey hospital building.

Visitors explored bright, modern clinical spaces, joined in interactive activities, and saw how their ideas and lived experience have helped shape the new environments.

After more than five years of planning, designing and building, we’re on the final stretch towards opening. Teams are completing testing and training programs as we get ready to welcome patients in the months ahead.

20/02/2026

Our new building is opening soon and inside, the walls tell a story. 🐾🌿

Bringing the outside in, the large scale envirographics flow through the corridors and clinical areas creating vibrant surroundings for our patients, families and staff.

With playful animals and plants appearing at varying heights and sight lines, the artworks create moments of curiosity, discovery and joy for those particularly difficult days.

At the same time, the graphics create an energising and inspiring environment for our staff, encapsulating the quality care they provide to patients every day.

Artist Rach Viski says the envirographics are inspired by the surrounding river landscape. It is also a collaborative piece with 190 individual drawings produced by patients, siblings and students from local schools carefully dotted throughout - a lasting contribution to our new building.

We can't wait to welcome you and let the walls tell their story.

14/02/2026

Arthur is a bright, social seven-year-old with a cheeky sense of humour and an infectious smile. A natural larrikin, he keeps his family laughing with jokes and fun facts. He loves building Lego, playing video and board games, spending time with his sister and friends, and being outdoors, especially bushwalking or swimming.

In the lead-up to the June long weekend, Arthur’s parents noticed he was unusually lethargic and experiencing frequent nosebleeds. Trusting their instincts, they took him to their local emergency department. He was transferred to our hospital where, after extensive testing, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in October, a fast-growing blood cancer that affects the bone marrow and the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells.

“As parents, hearing his diagnosis brought a mix of emotions – relief after months of uncertainty, but also heartbreak,” Georgia, Arthur’s mum said.

Arthur has since undergone four rounds of intensive chemotherapy, spending extended periods in hospital and requiring regular blood and platelet transfusions. One of the hardest moments was losing his hair - a visible reminder of his illness – but over time, connecting with other children with cancer helped him feel less alone.

Through both the good days and the toughest moments, Arthur has remained authentically himself, never allowing his diagnosis to dampen his spirit.

“Arthur inspires us every day with his positivity,” Georgia said. “He celebrated his seventh birthday in hospital soon after diagnosis and said it was his best birthday because he had extra people to celebrate with.”

Throughout treatment, Arthur’s care team have wrapped around him and his family with extraordinary care. Doctors, nurses, and allied health staff have taken the time to know Arthur beyond his diagnosis, embracing his pranks, joining his dance parties, and helping hospital feel a little more like home.

“The team have not only delivered highly specialised care but have taken the time to explain each step of treatment, answer our questions, and involve us in decision making, which has helped us feel informed and supported during an incredibly challenging time,” Georgia said.

“Knowing that Arthur is cared for by a team who genuinely know him as a person, not just a patient, has made navigating this journey so much easier for our family.”

Living on the Central Coast, Arthur’s team also coordinated with his local hospital so he could receive parts of his care closer to home, reducing travel and allowing the family more time together.

Last week, Arthur completed his final round of chemotherapy. He’s now looking forward to having his central line removed, getting back into the pool to perfect his cannonballs and returning to school.

“Childhood cancer is a family diagnosis. The impact reaches far beyond the child undergoing treatment - affecting siblings and parents navigating a world that doesn’t stop, even when their own world has,” Georgia said.

This International Childhood Cancer Day, we stand alongside every child and family impacted by childhood cancer 💙

13/02/2026

Today marks 18 years since Australia’s National Apology to the Stolen Generation and their families.

On 13 February 2008, the Parliament of Australia formally apologised to the Aboriginal people for the forceful removal of children from their families and the enduring impacts of intergenerational trauma that continue to be felt.

Our Senior Aboriginal Project Manager, Allen Stanley, remembers watching the Apology on TV at his local Aboriginal Medical Service in St George, surrounded by community — including members of the Stolen Generations.

“We felt validated. There was optimism. It felt like the start of healing,” he says.

Eighteen years on, we reflect on the significance of the Apology to our country as we commit to building a future based on mutual respect, resolve, and responsibility for all Australians wherever they’ve come from.

11/02/2026

| “I’m drawn to paediatric research as its impact is lifelong. Discoveries made early can change someone’s entire life trajectory—improving development, quality of life, and outcomes across decades.

A typical day for me combines academic leadership and hands-on research. As a leader at the University, I focus on strategy, staff and student support, and keeping teaching and operations running well, while at Westmead I work closely with my research team on data, papers, grants, and collaborations. It’s a constant balance of big-picture planning and practical problem-solving to support good science and good people.”

Professor Wendy Gold is one of our research leaders at Kids Research, the research arm of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. She holds predominant positions as both the Head of the Molecular Neurobiology Research group at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and interim Head of School of Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney.

“There is something uniquely motivating about working in a space where biology, development, family, and clinical care intersect so closely. It combines rigorous science with a very human purpose: helping children not just survive, but thrive.

My favourite memories are seeing my own Honours and PhD students graduate. I remember them at the start—learning techniques, troubleshooting failed experiments, building confidence—and then at the end, presenting their work, publishing, and thinking independently as scientists.

I always tell anyone who is thinking to work in science to ‘go for it!’ The field needs you, and not just in a symbolic way. Health science and research shape how medicine is practiced, what questions get asked, and whose experiences are understood. Your perspective, curiosity, and lived experience genuinely influence the direction and impact of science.”

Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science and a chance to celebrate and recognise the work of our extraordinary cohort of women like Wendy. Their leadership and expertise are helping make scientific breakthroughs in childhood health research.

10/02/2026