New England - Orthopaedic clinical placements

This project allowed four Paediatric nurses to attend a two day clinical placement at John Hunter Hospital on 16 and 17 February 2004 to enhance the surgical orthopaedic services for children in the New England region. A preceptor was provided and the nurses received training in their respective areas of clinical practice. With the employment of a staff specialist orthopaedic surgeon at Armidale Hospital, it became viable to enhance paediatric orthopaedic surgery offered through Armidale hospital. The need to enhance clinical expertise in the following areas was identified:

• Orthopaedic surgery and anaesthetics
• Paediatric recovery and post operative pain management
• Pre and post operative paediatric care