Children (3-12 years)

Throughout their childhood years, children grow and mature significantly. In addition, they begin to develop confidence in their own abilities, start to identify how they fit in with other children and start initiating their own activities.

Health queries for children ages 3 to 12 years usually fall into one of four areas:

• nutrition
• sleep
• growth
• developmental/behavioural screening and assessment

More complex health issues requiring specialist care can include:

• asthma allergies
• poor growth
• behavioural problems and developmental delay
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorders
• brain conditions such as epilepsy
• complex disabilities
• urinary and faecal incontinence
• problems with muscles or bones

How to access care for children

A general practitioner referral is required.  Your GP can submit the referral by following the directions on the Department of Health, Tasmania's outpatient clinics website.

Who we care for

Most children will get good health care from their local child health centre and/or their general practitioner (GP). GPs may refer on to a paediatrician (all paediatricians have training in both child and adolescent health care).

Paediatric clinics for children are located at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, North West Regional Hospital (Burnie) and Mersey Community Hospital (Latrobe).

What to expect at clinic

It is important that children are involved in their own health care from an early age. In our paediatric clinics, children (with the help of their caregivers) will be asked to talk to health professionals directly and to make healthcare decisions that are age-appropriate.

It is recommended that before you go and see the paediatrician/paediatric registrar you consider doing the following:

• Write down the reason for the visit and any concerns your child/family has mentioned
• Make a list of all the questions you want to ask at the appointment
• If possible, write down a list of all medications and complementary therapies.

The staff at the paediatric clinic will then work closely with your child’s general practitioner and allied health services to care for your child as they grow.

Your care team

Your child health care team usually begins with:

The child and family/caregivers

You and your caregivers are important members of your health care team, you look after yourself and your condition every day. You can tell us about your health and how your condition affects your everyday life. We will include you in decisions about your health.

General Practitioner (GP)

Your GP takes care of your general health needs within the community. They often provide initial assessment and can refer to a paediatrician if more specialised care is required. Your GP can provide care in between more specialist appointments and assist with prescriptions and community care plans/action plans for your family or school. They will receive updates from other professionals.

Paediatric registrar

The paediatric registrar is a doctor training to become a specialist such as a paediatrician. Once they have met with you they report back to the paediatrician or relevant specialist.

Paediatrician

The paediatrician is a key member of your health care team, they provide specialist medical care and look at your health holistically. Your paediatrician often takes the lead in providing a diagnosis or organises referrals for tests or specialist input. They look after your holistic care needs and receive updates from other members of your health care team.

Specialist nurse/clinical coordinator

For children with complex health problems, the specialist nurse is your main contact point. They will help you to organise your care and assist with communication between team members. You can talk to them if you have questions or concerns. Depending on your needs, the nurse may provide education and support, giving you the information you need to care for your condition.

Nurse practitioner

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute or chronic health conditions. Nurse practitioners have completed additional university study at Master’s degree level and are the most senior and independent clinical nurses in our health care system.

Depending on individual needs the following health professionals may also provide care

How to access care for children

A general practitioner referral is required.  Your GP can submit the referral by following the directions on the Department of Health, Tasmania's outpatient clinics website.

Children's resources

Supported self management

• Moving On Up (Tasmanian Primary Health Network together with the Tasmanian Health Service) – Learning to manage your own condition while you are supported by your family, carers and health care team, is important as you grow and work towards independence. Moving On Up is a Tasmanian resource that provides learning goals for different ages.

Parenting supports

• Raising Children – the Australian Parenting website (Raising Children’s Website)
• Triple P Parenting program, free for Australian residents (University of Queensland)
• Other parenting support programs may be offered through Tasmanian Child Health and Parenting Services

Nutrition and exercise

• Healthy Kids (Department of Health Tasmania)
• High energy eating (Royal Children's Hospital)
• Nutrition and Food Services Resources (Royal Children's Hospital)

Sleep

• Sleep health fact sheets (Sleep Health Foundation Australia)

Mental health and wellbeing

Child supports

• Headspace
• Kids Helpline
• Mindfulness and general wellbeing (Brave4you)
• Mindfulness (Smiling mind)
• Pulse Youth Health
• The Link
• Ynot

Parent/carer supports

• Strong families, safe kids (Department of Communities Tasmania)
• Tasmanian drug and alcohol service
• Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS)
• What’s okay at home – family violence (WOAH)

Health concerns

• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) - Quick facts and links to further information about eczema
• Fever in children (Royal Children’s Hospital)
• Headaches (Royal Children’s Hospital)
• Hearing concerns (Department of Health Tasmania – Statewide Audiology Service)

Continence

• Bed alarm resource for parents (Ramsey Coote)
• Bedwetting - children (Continence Foundation of Australia)
• Constipation (Royal Children's Hospital)
• Daytime wetting (Continence Foundation of Australia)
• Soiling (Continence Foundation of Australia)
• Toilet Training (Continence Foundation of Australia)

View additional resources from the Child Health (Paediatrics) team