Child and Adolescent Health Service

With Lego robots and creative coding, the recent Coder Dojo event was a fun way for children and young people to improve digital skills and explore technology. Thanks to our partners Bankwest and their team of tech-savvy graduates for facilitating hands-on coding and robotic activities, and the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health. 

A Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) neonatology team has drawn national attention for research showing that artificial intelligence (AI) can diagnose developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children with expert-level accuracy, and in a fraction of the time of human specialists. The study was published recently in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, a journal of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). The project was led by Dr Suketu Bhavsar (pictured), a neonatology fellow at CAHS, as part of his advanced training and assessment toward RACP fellowship. His co-investigators were doctors Chandra Rath, Shripada Rao, Prof.Sanjay Patole, and Bhanu Gowda. Dr Maulini Bhavsar, an occupational therapist and researcher from Edith Cowan University, also contributed as an author. The team conducted a systematic review of 23 studies exploring the use of AI in diagnosing DDH, a condition caused by abnormal hip joint development which can lead to dislocation and affects up to 3 in 1000 infants worldwide. Without timely intervention, affected children are at risk of developing hip arthritis, spinal curvature, and chronic back pain later in life. Suketu said AI demonstrated accuracy comparable to human clinicians but was significantly faster. ‘A clinician needs to manually take measurements, which takes about a minute,’ he explained. ‘AI can do it in one or 2 seconds.’ See the full study here: https://lnkd.in/g4hZ3Ghj

Perth Children’s Hospital clinician researcher Professor Asha Bowen OAM has been named Mid-career Scientist of the Year at the 2025 at the Premier’s Science Awards. The prestigious accolade recognises Professor Bowen’s passionate efforts to improve the skin health of Aboriginal children. The infectious diseases paediatrician’s research has focused on the prevention of skin infection and the serious consequences that can follow, including rheumatic heart disease. Professor Bowen led the landmark SToP Trial – a partnership with nine remote Kimberley communities – which resulted in Australia’s largest community-wide skin infection prevention program, successfully halving the prevalence of skin sores in remote Aboriginal children. Partnering with Aboriginal communities has enabled Professor Bowen to deliver practical solutions for these communities including clinical trials and culturally relevant resources. In addition to her work at PCH, Professor Bowen leads the Healthy Skin and Rheumatic Fever Prevention team at The Kids Research Institute Australia and holds a Clinical Professorship with The University of Western Australia’s Medical School. The Mid-career Research Award is given for excellence in a field of science, scientific research or technology advancement. Congratulations to Professor Bowen on this significant honour. Asha is pictured below with her son Zac who accompanied her to the event.

Hats off to the more than 200 researchers who presented to the 2025 Child Health Research Symposium – and special congratulations to those judged to have given the most outstanding presentations in their respective categories. The symposium drew strong audiences throughout the week, shining a spotlight on the diverse range of child health research taking place in WA, much of it at the Child and Adolescent Health Service. This year’s packed program featured a poster evening, interactive workshops, invited guest speakers, research support information booths, a great debate and sessions dedicated to child and adolescent community, mental health, nursing and allied health care. The event’s prize-winning presenters were: • Best lightning presentation – Thomas Drake-Brockman for Randomised controlled trial of pre-procedural chewables in children fasting before surgery. • Best lightning presentation runner-up: Erica Heather Russell for Exploring Spiny Mouse dermal fibroblasts as a blueprint for human skin regeneration. • Best presentation by an early-career researcher: Gareth Lingham for Comprehensive eye growth charts to assess myopia across continents. • Best presentation by an early-career researcher: runner -up: Tamara Veselinović for Ear Portal: Using asynchronous tele-audiology to improve access to Ear, Nose and Throat services for children with otitis media in an urban area. • Best poster presentation – People’s choice: Helen Clapin for DiabHQ: A Digital Ecosystem for Paediatric Diabetes Care and Research. • Best poster presentation – People’s choice: Runner-up: Nicole Steele for Bitesized data: A taste of meal satisfaction and waste at PCH. • Highest scoring abstract - poster presentation: Michael Kirk Relational influences in rural paediatric careers: A national social network analysis. • Highest scoring abstract - oral presentation: Ushma Wadia REVIVE - REspiratory syncytial Virus Immunisation program - eValuating Effectiveness and impact. • Best Allied Health presentation: Jacqui Hunt (& Andy Wahid and Jaimee Stott) for Perth Children’s Hospital ‘Play and Wait’ Strategy: Consumer Engagement Activity Trials. • Best Child and Adolescent Mental Health presentation: Dr Cayla Bellagarda for Temporal Trends in Youth Mental Health: Insights and Predictions from 20 Years of CAMHS Service Data. • Best Child and Adolescent Community Health presentation: Karen Nitsche for SET and GO: A Parenting Self-Efficacy Tool for Gathering Outcomes of Developmental Intervention. • Best nursing presentation: (winners tied) Michelle Adamson for Embedding environmental sustainability into paediatric burns outpatient culture and Sharon Perrella for Gestational diabetes melitus is implicated in infant body composition. The symposium was presented by the Child and Adolescent Health Service in partnership with The Kids Research Institute Australia and with support from the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation.

We’re proud to share that Dr Gareth Baynam has been nominated as a 2026 Australian of the Year for Western Australia – a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary contributions to rare disease care and advocacy. As a clinical geneticist, Gareth is establishing precision medicine solutions for some of Australia’s rarest and most complex conditions. Rare disease affects around 500,000 Australian children and are the leading cause of child deaths in developed countries, yet 95% of these conditions have no approved treatment. Gareth’s work is dedicated to changing outcomes for these vulnerable patients. He serves as Medical Director of the Rare Care Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital and its regional hub in the Pilbara, and founded the Undiagnosed Diseases Program to help families find long-sought answers. His leadership has shaped national policy through his work with Rare Voices Australia, contributing to the development of Australia’s first National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases. Gareth’s collaborative efforts are improving diagnosis, health care delivery, research, and community understanding, while positioning Australia as a global leader in rare disease innovation. Congratulations, Gareth, and thank you for your extraordinary contribution to rare disease care and advocacy. WA award recipients will be announced on 13 November 2025 at Government House, Perth. Watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au

Dr. Saumil Desai, representing the Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS WA) and the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), has been awarded Best Oral Paper at the prestigious Australia and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) Neonatal Clinical Practice Improvement Conference in Sydney.   His groundbreaking presentation, “Quicker team launch times on urgent priority NETS WA retrievals”, highlighted a transformative initiative aimed at reducing neonatal transport team departure times.   This achievement sets a new national benchmark for neonatal transport efficiency and highlights NETS WA’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in newborn care.   Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gMAu5-42   A huge congratulations to Dr Desai and the NETS WA team for continuing to lead the way in neonatal transport. 

Australia’s first paediatric post-sepsis program goes virtual. Continuing with our Virtual Care Awareness Week celebrations, we are proud to highlight the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) Paediatric Post-Sepsis Care Program, launched in March 2025. This Australian-first program supports children and families recovering from sepsis – entirely via Telehealth. Since launch, it has enrolled 90 patients and delivered 123 follow-up appointments, with structured check-ins at 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge. We know that recovery from sepsis can be complex and understand how important it is for families to receive ongoing support. By reducing travel and improving access for regional families, virtual care is helping ensure continuity and equity in recovery. Led by nurses and supported by infectious diseases specialists, the program uses tools like the PedsQL to monitor recovery and tailor support. Families also receive education, care coordination, and links to community services – all from the comfort of home. “Telehealth keeps families informed and empowered. Our goal is to ensure every child not only survives, but thrives,” says Natalie Middleton, Clinical Nurse Consultant Sepsis, pictured below. #VCAW25

This Occupational Therapy Week, we’re proud to share the inspiring story of Sara and Lauren, whose paths have crossed in a truly meaningful way at the Child Development Service (CDS). Sara, pictured on the left, is an Aboriginal Occupational Therapy Cadet in her second year at Edith Cowan University, is currently working with CDS at Midland Community Hub and Perth Children’s Hospital. Her journey into OT began in aged care, and continued when her own children received occupational therapy. Moved by the care they received, she decided to pursue OT as a career. In a full-circle moment, Sara discovered her mentor at Midland is Lauren, the very occupational therapist who once supported her sons. Lauren’s own journey into OT began with a career-changing conversation that shifted her path from teaching to therapy. Now a passionate OT at CDS, she’s helping children thrive and mentoring future therapists like Sara. Their story is a moving reflection of this year’s OT Week theme: Occupational Therapy in Action. It highlights the deep connections, expertise and mentorship that define the profession, and the lasting impact of compassionate care. Please join us in celebrating the incredible work of occupational therapists across the Child and Adolescent Health Service and beyond.

This week, Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) is celebrating Virtual Care Awareness Week, recognising how virtual care is improving access, equity, and health outcomes across Western Australia. The Continence and Enuresis Service has embraced virtual care as a core part of its model, delivering over 75% of appointments via Telehealth. Originally a pilot group for videocall implementation in 2020, the team was well-prepared when the pandemic reshaped healthcare delivery. Today, families from Kununurra to Esperance benefit from reduced travel costs, flexible scheduling, and less disruption to daily life. For neurodiverse children or those with past hospital trauma, virtual appointments offer a safe and familiar space, reducing anxiety and sensory overload. Clinicians gain deeper insights into each child’s world, tailoring care to what matters most. “We get to meet their pets, hear about their day, and truly connect. It’s care that fits into their lives, not the other way around,” shared Kerry Murphy, Clinical Nurse Consultant Continence and Enuresis, pictured below. Clinicians agree that virtual care is here to stay, with Kerry noting, “We’ll never go back to face-to-face for every appointment, and parents wouldn’t let us!” #VCAW25

The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to announce a new partnership with Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), aimed at delivering specialist medical treatment to children from Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and other parts of Oceania. Under this five-year agreement, children under 16 with life-threatening or debilitating conditions, whose conditions cannot be treated in their home countries, will be eligible for treatment at Perth Children’s Hospital. ROMAC will coordinate travel, accommodation, and provide financial support for CAHS to provide comprehensive care across medical, surgical, nursing, and allied health services. “This partnership with ROMAC is about more than medical care. It’s about hope, compassion, and the belief that every child’s life matters,” said Michael Hutchings, Acting CAHS Chief Executive. “We’re proud to be part of this life-changing initiative.” For more information about ROMAC and its work, visit romac.org.au.