Rehabilitation Information for Families

Nearby apartment, hotel or motel accommodation is available. Staying in your child's hospital room may also be an initial option.

The Butterfly Card scheme assists families whose children are admitted to hospital for an anticipated period of more than a week or who have frequent admissions or outpatient/day therapy appointments with a discount in the Cafeteria.

Please ask the nurse who is caring for your child if you wish to see a social worker, have an interpreter or minister of religion.

Meals for parents and caregivers are available from the café on level 2, the Play Deck on level 1 and the Kiosks at the Kermode St and Queen Victoria Building both ground floor level.

Mobile phones interfere with some sensitive medical equipment and must not be used if your child is in PICU. Pay phones are located around the hospital.

Car parking is available on or near the hospital grounds at a cost. If you are planning to drive in daily and use the car park, you can negotiate a weekly cost with our Transport staff. There are some free long stay street parks if you are prepared to walk – see Social Worker for some locations.

The Hospital School is on the Ground floor in the Good Friday Building. When a child is ready to attend school this is seen as an important part of their rehabilitation program. School personnel at the hospital work in close partnership with members of the rehabilitation team to support students’ successful participation in learning programs. The Hospital School is available for Ambulatory patients from the Country as well as inpatients and their siblings.

Overnight and Weekend leave are planned as part of the rehabilitation program to facilitate reintegration of the child and family back to the community. This will be considered when the child is medically stable and is considered to be safe out of the hospital care.

Once your child is accepted for the Paediatric Rehabilitation program, please ensure they have suitable clothes to wear. This is an important part of the preparation for transition back to the community. Clothing suitable for gym work will be required, loose track pants, respectable shorts, t-shirts. Sunnies, a hat, long sleeved t-shirt and a warm jacket/jumper (depending on the season) will be needed when outdoor sessions are planned. Socks, lace up shoes/sneakers will be needed for walking, and if the child usually has an orthotic, please bring that in too. Shoes may need to be in a size larger than normal to accommodate new AFOs if required.