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Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

The Women's and Children's Health Network's 3D Health offers support to young people living with disability or complex health needs. Support is also provided to parents and carers, and community services.

On this page:

‘3D’ refers to the three-dimensional approach of care including diverse, disability and developmental needs of our consumers.

3D Health strives to ensure children who have complex health needs receive quality care and equal access to health, education and community services, in turn providing support for families, parents and carers.

3D Health includes:

  • Access Assistant Program (AAP)
  • Encompass
  • Health Education Interface (HEI)
  • Home Equipment Centre
  • Home Oxygen Service
  • MyTime program

Our vision

To ensure children who have complex health needs receive quality care and equal access to health, education and community services, in turn providing support for families, parents and carers.

Our mission statement

3D Health aims to provide best practice in health service delivery. We do this by working collaboratively to provide support to the child and family, liaising with health professionals and community service partners to maintain the health and wellbeing of children with complex healthcare needs and/or a disability. Our core values show care, respect, equality, compassion, inclusion and collaboration.

WCHN Disability Access and Inclusion (DAIP) Plan 2020–2024

The WCHN is committed to the elimination of discrimination on the basis of disability.

Our Services

Access Assistant Program (AAP)

About the service

The Access Assistant Program (AAP) provides trained staff to support students with complex health care needs and/or a disability to enable participation in government or non-government preschool or school.

In order to receive the health support required, AAP must receive a completed referral from the preschool or school Principal/Director and the parent/guardian.

The AAP work very closely with the RN Delegation of Care Program to support the training of staff.

Examples of support which may be required include:

  • Enteral nutrition, e.g. gastrostomy, nasogastric
  • Airway management, e.g. tracheostomy, BiPAP, CPAP, oxygen support and suction
  • Elimination support, e.g. colostomy and catheter management
  • High health needs (complex seizure management)

To access AAP, complete an Access Assistant Program and RN Delegation of Care Program referral form.

Contact

Phone (08) 8159 9400 or email health.wchndisabilityservices@sa.gov.au.

Referral

Fact sheet

3D Health – AAP Medical Consultant

About this service

The Medical Consultant's role is to advise sites about the health care needs for a student with complex (2 or more interacting diagnoses). This may involve formulation of individual first aid plans, staff training towards health plans and advising sites where health is variable or health information is lacking.

The medical consultant also provides consultancy at the request of AAP nurses for clients within the AAP program.

Contact

Phone (08) 8159 9400

Referral

Encompass

About this service

Encompass is a community based program of the Women's and Children's Health Network. Encompass allows children with complex health needs and/or a disability to safely access community services including preschool/school, out of school hours care, child care, in home support and respite.

Role of Encompass

  • The Registered Nurse (RN) works in partnership with the child and parent/legal guardian and other health professionals involved in the child's care to complete a health assessment.
  • The RN will assess and determine the level of care required by the child, ie. care provided by a health support worker, registered or enrolled nurse. This is reassessed at least annually.
  • The RN develops a health plan.
  • The RN conducts training session/s and individual competency assessments.

How to access this service

Complete the WCHN Disability Services referral form below in consultation with both the Principal/Manager of the service providing support and in consultation with the child's parent/legal guardian. The referral form should be sent to Disability Services as detailed below.

If your child is eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), it is important that you inform your NDIS planner and have RNDCP added to your child's NDIS plan. You will need to complete the relevant NDIS details on the referral.

Contact

Phone (08) 8159 9400 or email health.wchndisabilityservices@sa.gov.au.

Referral

Fact sheet

Health Education Interface (HEI)

About this service

Supporting students with behaviours of concern for students with a disability and/or complex health needs.

HEI is a statewide service and is inclusive of both government and non-government schools. The focus of the service is in provision of support and advice around significant behavioural and emotional concerns for children in school. The HEI service aims to support ongoing school engagement or reconnect the student in an educational pathway.

How to access this service

Government Schools

Referrals to HEI are made by the Student Support Services Team Manager via the Complex Case Review Panel.

Contact Student Support Services via school:

Non-Government Schools

Referrals to HEI are accepted directly by Disability Services.

Contact Disability Services – HEI:

For more information:

Contact

Phone (08) 8159 9400 or email health.wchndisabilityservices@sa.gov.au.

Visit Health Education Interface (SA Department of Education).

MyTime program

About this service

MyTime is a facilitated peer support program for parents and carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. Currently there are 26 groups across both metropolitan and regional South Australia.

MyTime groups are for parents and carers who want to connect with others and share their experiences. They provide unique support from other parents and carers who have "been there" or are "there right now".

MyTime:

  • Helps parents and carers of young children to connect with each other to share experiences, information and ideas
  • Helps parents and carers of young children to connect with local services and resources
  • Offers parents and carers support while their children are entertained by a play helper.

Eligibility

MyTime is for parents and carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition, who are eligible for the Carers Allowance Child (0–16 years). Play helpers are available for under school-aged children only.

Contact

Phone MyTime Manager (08) 8159 9474.

Visit mytime.net.au.

Fact sheet

Further information

Staff

Nursing Director, Disability and Complex Care

Jodie-Ann Hochuli, 0458 112 366

Medical Consultant

Christel Burton (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday), (08) 8159 9460

Access Assistant Program (AAP)

Administrative Assistant, (08) 8159 9400

RN Delegation of Care Program (RNDCP)

Referral Coordinators, (08) 8159 9481

Health Education Interface (HEI)

Administrative Assistant, (08) 8159 9400

MyTime Program

Manager, (08) 8159 9474