Children's Outpatients

Paediatric Outpatients Department (POPD) is where babies, children and adolescents attend an appointment at the hospital for a variety of speciality clinics and services.

These clinics are held in 5 clinic areas. Ground floor clinic is located near the main stair at the Kermode Street entrance. In Level 1 Zone A – Rogerson Building we have our other four areas.

The clinic waiting areas have recently undergone a vibrant makeover, creating a spacious feel, with attractive wall designs depicting the four seasons as well as colourful new seating.

Our department is open Monday to Fridays (excluding public holidays) with majority of clinics running between 8.45am to 5pm.

Appointments can be provided via face to face, telephone or video (telehealth).

To have an appointment booked, a written referral is required to our speciality services from either your General Practitioner (GP) or other specialist.

All referrals are to be sent via fax to 8161 6246.

Please visit our Referrals to Outpatient Clinics page for referral information and guidelines.

Our specialists review all received referrals and use the information provided to determine suitability and urgency. Your referring clinician will receive confirmation as to whether the referral has been accepted.

Appointments are allocated in priority of clinical requirements and for some of our clinics there is a waiting list for appointments. You will receive a letter for either notifying you of the appointment details or your placement on the waiting list.

Due to the high demand for some services, there may be a long wait for an appointment.

You may wish to discuss other options with your GP including private or community care.

SA Health publishes median and maximum wait times for specialist outpatient appointments. You can access this using the link below:

• Specialist Outpatient Waiting Time Report

It is important that you contact as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change your appointment.

Please do not attend your outpatient appointment and reschedule your appointment if you, your child or anyone visiting WCH has any of the following:

• flu like symptoms
• vomiting or diarrhoea

Please contact us on (08) 8161 7399 if:

• you need to change or cancel your appointment
• you have changed your contact details
• you no longer require the appointment.

We encourage you to communicate with your child about their appointment prior to attending.

Please allow 2 hours for your visit. We aim to see everyone near their allocated time but unfortunately, unexpected delays can happen. We recommend brining along some food and a drink or there are café facilities available within WCH. Our Play therapist and Volunteers provide some toys and activities in the waiting rooms or you may wish to bring along your own books, toys or devises.

Please bring the following to you with your child’s appointment:

• Medicare Card
• any concessions cards
• any test results, x-rays or information that is relevant to the visit
• list of current medications
• My Health and Development Record (Blue book)

It is also helpful to prepare any questions you may want to ask the Specialist.

If it is your first visit to the hospital, you will need to attend Patient Registration located Level 1 Zone A to complete registration with one of the team there.

For those that have previously been to the WCH, please check in with the Area desks when you arrive. You may be asked to take a number when checking in – this is to help assist with clinic flows and reduce long line-ups. If you have any questions at arrival, please ask our team at the desks.