Mid North Coast - Staff Secondment from Manning Base Hospital to John Hunter Children's Hospital
This project allowed staff to be seconded to JHCH in a supernumerary capacity to up-skill in the areas identified and return to Manning Base Hospital with the purpose of taking on the role of education and resource person in that selected field. Staffing in the Paediatric Unit at Manning Base Hospital and relieving staff was very difficult, therefore it was proposed that there should be a staff exchange programme from the John Hunter Children's Hospital to Manning Base Hospital.
The areas identified which were mentored by staff from John Hunter Children's Hospital were:
- Oncology
- Orthopaedics
- Gastroenterology
- ENT surgery
- Respiratory disorders
- A and E issues
The outcomes achieved were:
- All staff at Manning Base Hospital had the opportunity to apply for secondment
- A committee was structured to prioritise and select staff who were given access to the programme
- Staff returned with the purpose of becoming a resource person and educator in their chosen field of expertise
- The staff member had the opportunity to network and develop valuable links with tertiary centres for further updates
- All staff who work with children benefited from the programme and now feel more confident and competent
- Children have benefited by receiving care from staff who have the knowledge and expertise in current best practices
- There have been a reduced number of adverse events amongst paediatric patients