Contact
IBD clinic:
- Call Outpatients on (02) 9382 1470 or,
- Contact the IBD Coordinator
Paediatric Gastroenterology: (02) 9382 1752
Dietitians: (02) 9382 1021
After hours (in an emergency): call via the hospital operator (02) 9382 2111
About our service
The Crohn's and Colitis clinic (renamed IBD clinic) was established in 2001 in order to focus care for the many children with Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC).
The clinic was the first such paediatric facility in Australia and has led to numerous advances in the management and outcomes for children with IBD.
Over the years since the clinic began, around 40 children have been diagnosed with IBD each year at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick; and children of all ages continue to be cared for and managed in the clinic.
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.
Outpatients department: (02) 9382 1470
IBD Coordinator:
- (02) 9382 1967
- rachel.messenger@health.nsw.gov.au
Clinic information
The IBD clinic includes health professionals of various disciplines, including medical, nursing, dietetic, social work, and psychology staff. Each of these has a key role in the complex care of children and adolescents with IBD.
Children with IBD have multiple needs that vary considerably from age-to-age and person-to-person.
One of our objectives at the IBD clinic is to ensure that in addition to the medical needs of each child, aspects such as their nutrition and growth, education, and psychological functioning are also looked after. Our team approach and care is not restricted to our patients but extends to the family of our patients as we recognise the diverse needs of families.
Clinic location: Outpatient Department, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick
Clinic times: alternating Wednesday afternoons from 2pm and Thursday mornings from 8.30am
At each clinic visit patients will:
- have their weight and height measured and will have a full medical review
- be seen by a doctor and may also be seen by other members of the team as needed, such as a dietitian, social worker or a psychologist
- be given plans for the coming weeks or months and arrangements made for their next visit.
Support services
Peer support
One of the aims of the clinic team is to make sure that all young people diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis cope well after their diagnosis. One way to help young people cope with IBD is to bring them together with other young people who have been diagnosed with IBD.
At regular times throughout each year, there are Peer Support Meetings for young people with Crohn's or Colitis. These meetings consist of 6-10 young people and will be facilitated by one or two staff. They provide a chance to talk with each other about how things are going, to compare notes with others and to get support from each other.
In addition to these meetings, we commonly offer to match up a family or a young person with another young person or parent who might be going through similar aspects of their condition. We would always discuss this with yourself and the other person/family before suggesting contact is made.
Parent support
Having a child or adolescent with Crohn's or Colitis can be quite stressful at times. Therefore, we also host regular meetings for parents to get together and share experiences and tips.
If you would like more information about these meetings or would like to be involved, please call Rachel Messenger on (02) 9382 1967.
