Hospital

Hospitals are like entering a different town. There are hundreds of people with specific jobs and it’s a busy place. Each type of job has its own uniform. Learning who does what can be overwhelming at first. Hopefully we can help you make sense of who is who, what they do and who to ask for help on your child’s journey.

Here are some ways you might arrive with your child in hospital:

Emergency Department

The Emergency Department is just through the main entrance. You will usually start here.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

If you have had a baby in the John Hunter Hospital who is unwell, you may start in the NICU.

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

If your child is very unwell, they may be transferred from the emergency department, ward or the ambulance to the PICU.

Here are a few places you might go after ED, NICU or PICU, and a few other special people you might meet:

The Ward

After your child has been initially assessed and treated, or their condition improved, they may be moved to a ward.

Other Important People

While your child is in hospital, they may also meet some other very important people who will help them recover or give ongoing support.

Other Important Places

Your child may need to undergo some tests or procedures in hospital. Here are some important places they might visit.

“They’re not on any map, true places never are.”