women's and children's hospital adelaide

Paediatric Anaesthesia

The Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia (children's anaesthesia) provides

anaesthetic services for all children's surgery at the WCH
an acute pain management service
a 24 hour acute trauma service.

The only tertiary paediatric anaesthetic department in the state, the department provides advice and teaching on all aspects of paediatric anaesthesia to fellow anaesthetists, other medical practitioners, nurses and paramedical professionals.

The department is closely allied with the WCH Department of Obstetric and Gynaecological Anaesthesia and the University of Adelaide.

Many children who have surgery at the WCH will not need to stay in hospital overnight and will attend the Day Surgery Unit. Children expected to remain in hospital overnight will attend the Hospital's Day of Surgery Admissions.

How to access the service

Most children are seen by an anaesthetist on the day of surgery. Your surgeon may suggest that your child see an anaesthetist prior to surgery. Your surgeon will then send the department a referral form, and an anaesthetist will contact you prior to surgery.