Adolescent medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Contact
Phone: (02) 7825 2446
About our service
The Adolescent Medicine service provides comprehensive support for the health care needs of referred adolescent patients.
The team creates a youth-friendly environment with a model of care offering treatment for both medical and psychosocial needs, supported by research.
Our department provides inpatient and outpatient services to adolescents and their families. A range of outpatient clinics are held, including:
- Complex and chronic Illness clinic
- Care and Intervention for children and adolescents affected by drugs and Alcohol (CICADA)
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) clinic
- Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) service
- Adolescent gynaecology service
- Adolescent bladder clinic
- Self management clinic
- Eating disorders service.
An inpatient consultation and liaison service is provided as well as admission of adolescents with conditions like eating disorders and complex chronic illnesses.
The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network's Youth and Transition services provide a range of special programs and opportunities for adolescent patients including Trapeze, the Youth Arts Program, the Chronic Illness Peer Support Program (ChIPS), and the Youth Advisory Council.
The Adolescent Medical unit has been a pioneer of adolescent healthcare in Australia.
Referral process for clinicians
Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely.
Consultmed questions and technical support: helpdesk@consultmed.co
Referral and appointment process for parents and carers
Request a referral
To make an appointment at our clinic, you will need a referral from your GP, paediatrician or specialist.
They will assess your child, discuss your concerns, and make a referral to the appropriate service.
Track your referral
Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring clinician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.
Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment.
To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.
If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.
Need support?
If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us.
Phone: (02) 7825 2446
Clinic and service information
Clinic schedule
Our clinics provide a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to Adolescent Health. We see adolescents who may be experiencing disabling symptoms, complications of chronic illness, eating disorders, weight management concerns, drug, and alcohol associated difficulties.
The gynaecology clinic provides assessment for children and adolescents as well as those with a developmental disability.
Complex adolescent clinic
- Tuesday follow up 2pm-5pm and Wednesday new patient 10am, follow up 2-4pm
- CAYAH space Level 3 Westmead Hospital (near K block)
CICADA adolescent service
- Tuesday and Thursday
- CAYAH space Level 3 Westmead Hospital (near K block)
CICADA family service
- Mondays (service for 0-18-year-olds with parents in drug and alcohol treatment)
- CAYAH space Level 3 Westmead Hospital (near K block)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) service
- Monday and Tuesday
- Adolescent Medicine department, Level 1, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Eating disorder service
- Monday 9-12pm and Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
- Adolescent Medicine department, Level 1, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Child and adolescent gynaecology
- Friday 9am-1pm (1-2 per month)
- CAYAH space Level 3 Westmead Hospital (near K block)
Trans and gender diverse service
- Monday and Thursday
- CAYAH space Level 3 Westmead Hospital (near K block)
Adolescent bladder clinic
- First Friday of every month
- CAYAH space Level 3 Westmead Hospital (near K block)
Urgent cases: contact Adolescent Medicine Consultant on Call or registrar to discuss the case
Complex adolescent service
- Multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment of complex symptomatic adolescents including chronic pain syndromes, post viral fatigue syndrome, and complications of chronic illness
- Medical and psychosocial assessment, individual and family support, rehabilitation to school, occupational therapy (relaxation, organisation, stress management advice), cognitive-behavioural, and family therapies
- Psychiatry consultation, as required
Service days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Adolescent Medicine
Trans and Gender Diverse service
The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) service provides holistic and multidisciplinary care to trans and gender diverse young people. Referrals of young people up to 16 years are accepted by our service from a GP or other medical specialist.
The service provides assessment, monitoring and management of care based on the best available medical evidence and in-line with international best practice.
Our service is partnered with South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s True Colours to provide seamless care of young people up to the age of 25 years.
We acknowledge that life has many challenges and recommend these resources if in need of urgent or further support:
- QLife: 1800 184 527
- TransHub
- Gender Help for Parents: support group for parents and caregivers
- The Gender Centre Inc: (02) 9519 7599 during business hours 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday
State-wide specialist Trans and Gender Diverse health service
In May 2023, the Chief Executive, Cathryn Cox, wrote an open letter of support for the establishment of a dedicated trans and gender diverse health service.
Resources for clinicians and health professionals
As one of our priority populations, we have collated online resources for clinicians providing care to trans and gender diverse patients.
Eating disorder service
Based in Adolescent Medicine, in conjunction with Psychological Medicine, this service provides joint medical and psychiatric assessments of new patients with ongoing individual and family-based therapy. Outpatient Clinics are held every Monday and Thursday.
See the Eating Disorder service.
Maudsley Family Based Treatment: Intensive family therapy is provided for families whose adolescent has been in the eating disorder inpatient program upon discharge.
Wade ward
Wade Ward cares for adolescents 12 to 18 years with a diverse range of conditions. This includes general medical and surgical patients, adolescents with eating disorders and those requiring long term ventilation management and rehabilitation programs.
Related services
The CICADA Adolescent service (formerly known as SAMY) is the adolescent drug and alcohol service, with a staff specialist and psychologist providing clinical services to adolescents who are using drugs or alcohol.
The CICADA Family Service (formerly known as Teenlink) is a health service for young people aged 0 to 18 years with a parent undergoing drug and alcohol treatment.
Youth & Transition are a team of medical, nursing and allied health staff who provide holistic healthcare that supports young people as partners in their own care.
The team helps young people to develop skills to manage their chronic health conditions and/or disability, navigate their transition from paediatric to adult health care services, and help empower young people to take charge of their health.
Patient stories
Four young people speak about their experiences at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and how important it is to be able to participate in their care.