HNEkidshealth

04/11/2025

Ruben’s Fairy Garden Creation 🌟

During his treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), Ruben discovered a new passion - creating beautiful mosaics.

“I had to find something I could enjoy spending time on that wasn’t too tiring,” Ruben said. “Mosaics were the key – they’re creative, hands-on and really therapeutic. One of my nurses, Leonie, gave me some lovely blue tiles, and I used them all to make the background for my pot.”

Ruben’s mosaic pot now sits proudly in the fairy garden, a special place where he can come back and visit, even when his hospital stays become less frequent.

What a wonderful way to leave a little piece of creativity and hope behind, Ruben.

30/10/2025

A huge congratulations to Justine from the John Hunter Children’s Hospital, for winning the Children’s Healthcare Australasia’s very first Medal of Distinction award for sustainability in healthcare. 🍃🏥

As a NICU Clinical Nurse Consultant, Justine’s sustainability efforts has seen the NICU keep more than 100,000 bottles and 90,000 nappies out of landfill every year.🍼🌟

That’s a massive win for the planet.🌏

After nearly 30 years in neonatal care, Justine says making healthcare better for the environment just makes sense. “It’s about looking after the overall health of all of my patients.”

Congrats Justine and thank you for everything you do.🤗💗

28/10/2025

Don’t miss the fun this Saturday at the John Hunter Hospital School Fete! Enjoy a sunny day filled with entertainment, games, and a sizzling BBQ - the perfect way to spend your weekend! ☀️🌭💙

🌭🎉 Get Ready for a Sizzling Good Time at Our School Fete! 🎉🌭

We hope you’re hungry — because our amazing Rotarians are firing up the BBQ for a Sausage Sizzle you won’t want to miss! 🔥

We’re so proud of our ongoing connection with the wonderful team from Charlestown Rotary — they’re always there to lend a helping hand, and this Saturday they’ll be cooking up a storm! 👏

What better way to spend a sunny Saturday than soaking up the fete fun, enjoying the entertainment, and filling your belly with a $4 sausage and a $3 cool drink? 🥤☀️

If you think you’ve had a good "sausage sanga" before — wait until you try these ones! 😋

Pop by, say hi to the Rotary crew!

A huge thank you to Charlestown Rotary for their amazing support and community spirit! 💙

28/10/2025

Celebrating our amazing Ward Grandparents 👵👴

A big congratulations to the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Ward Grandparent Program, which was nominated for Volunteer Team of the Year at the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards! 🌟

This dedicated team of six volunteers plays a truly special role in our hospital by providing care, comfort, and companionship to young patients while giving parents a much-needed chance to rest, recharge, or meet with medical teams.

Whether it’s reading stories, playing games, creating art, or simply offering a warm hug, our Ward Grandparents ensure no child feels alone during their hospital stay. Their kindness brings joy and calm to what can be a challenging time for children and families alike. 💕

24/10/2025

A little piece of me exhibition 🧩

Meet Alex, Alex’s portrait is proudly displayed at John Hunter Children’s Hospital, as part of the ‘A Little Piece of Me’ exhibition, celebrating children supported by the hospital’s paediatric palliative care team.

As part of the project, families contribute photos of people, places, and moments that have shaped their child’s life. These small images are thoughtfully arranged by artist Andrew Christie into a powerful, singular portrait.

“We loved the idea of creating Alex’s portrait from the many special people who are part of his life - family, friends, and care workers. So many have commented on how much they enjoy seeing his happy face and bright smile at the Children’s Hospital. It’s a beautiful reminder that Alex isn’t always a patient, but a boy who finds joy in so many parts of life.” Said Alex’s parents

Each small image tells a story of love, resilience, and the journey of children and their families through times of uncertainty.

23/10/2025

A big thank you to Hospitals United for Sick Kids for helping make hospital stays a little brighter this National Children’s Week! 🌈

Their generous donation of Blip plushies brought plenty of smiles and comfort to kids in hospital.

Pictured are our wonderful volunteers Alice and Kate, who helped deliver the toys to children across our wards. 💛

21/10/2025

This week we’re celebrating National Children’s Week - a time to recognise every child’s right to enjoy their childhood. 💛

We’re proud to support our partners at Hospitals United for Sick Kids as they continue helping sick kids get back to what they miss most, being kids.

Today marks the beginning of National Children’s Week, a celebration of every child's right to enjoy their childhood.❤

Since 1996, Children’s Week has promoted awareness of children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); supporting children to be seen, heard, and celebrated in every community.👧

At Hospitals United for Sick Kids, this week holds special meaning as it aligns with our mission: helping sick kids get back home to what they miss.

Stay tuned to our socials for some very special announcements and look out for us on your TV, out and about and in your favourite magazines!📖📺



HNEkidshealth
The Common Good Au
WCH Foundation
Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation
Monash Children's Hospital
Monash Health
Canberra Hospitals Foundation

17/10/2025

WINNER | Transforming patient experience 🌟

Congratulations to the Paediatric sleep unit at John Hunter Hospital, for winning the Transforming Patient Experience category at this years excellence awards!

The Paediatric Sleep team is dedicated to making sleep testing more accessible and comfortable for children, with a focus high-needs patient and at-risk families.

Through collaboration and innovation, the team was able to achieve:
- 90% of patients finding the test to be less stressful and easier to manage for families
- An expansion to Tamworth for this service
- Accessible access to the service

Congratulations to the dedicated team behind this project👏

16/10/2025

The annual Vegetable Creek Multipurpose Service auxiliary fete is here! 🎉

Grab your friends and family to enjoy a day filled with fun, food and games.

Location: Vegetable Creek MPS
Time: 10am – 3pm
Entry: Free

A day to connect, celebrate, and enjoy everything that makes our community special.

14/10/2025

It’s Allied Health Professionals Day! 🎉

Our Allied Health teams are the amazing people who help kids move, eat, play, talk and feel better.

From physios and dietitians to speech pathologists, psychologists and occupational therapists, they help children reach their goals and feel their best every day.

A big shoutout to all our Allied Health superheroes! 💙

10/10/2025

Today is World Mental Health Day, a reminder to check in on the wellbeing of the little (and big) people in our lives 💚

Hear from Meg, a Social Worker with our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Newcastle, as she shares a few simple ways parents and carers can help children build healthy habits around managing emotions, staying connected and finding calm.

Because when kids learn how to care for their mental health, they’re building skills that last a lifetime.

Learn more about mental health services and support in Hunter New England here👉 https://ow.ly/1i9S50X8Uqn.

08/10/2025

Music has the power to heal and uplift. 🎶💛

Charlie enjoyed every moment of his music therapy session, bringing joy and comfort to his day. Music provides a welcome distraction from the hospital environment, helping to ease stress, anxiety and even pain.

Our dedicated music therapy team works alongside medical and nursing staff to support emotional expression, communication and overall wellbeing, helping kids like Charlie find comfort through song.

Thank you to Charlie and his family for sharing this beautiful moment with us!