Services and Facilities
John Hunter Children's Hospital

John Hunter Children's Hospital

JOHN HUNTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
TERTIARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

The John Hunter Children's Hospital is a tertiary referral centre for children and young people ranging in age from just 23 weeks gestation to 18 years. The hospital cares for patients throughout the Hunter Valley and Northern New South Wales.

Located within the walls of John Hunter Hospital, the Children's Hospital includes medical, surgical, adolescent and day stay wards, a neonatal intensive care unit and outpatient clinics. Specialty areas of care include asthma, cancer, cleft palate, child protection, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, orthopaedics, spina bifida, trauma and head injuries.

The John Hunter Children's Hospital also provides a telephone service to parents and carers. The Kids Kare Line offers personalised contact with specialist paediatric nurses and operates on (02) 4921 2800 between 2.45pm - 10.45pm daily.

Hours of operation
The John Hunter Children's Hospital operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Normal business hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm weekdays.

Visiting hours
Wards: Parents/guardians are allowed any time. Visitors between 10:00am -1:00pm and 3:00pm - 7:00pm. Children's rest time between 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Parents/guardians are allowed any time. Visitors admitted at the discretion of families and staff. Babies rest time between 1:00pm - 3:00pm.

Parking
Car parking on the campus is managed by Interpark. There is a fee ($4) for parking in these car parks, with a lower rate for disabled and concession card holders. Weekly passes are available. Ask at the Interpark parking booth in the main visitor car park. During peak times from 10-2pm, the campus can become congested, so it is recommended that you visit outside these hours if possible.

(Click here to download a map of the car parking stations).

Address
Lookout Road, New Lambton NSW 2305
Locked Bag 1, Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310

Main contact numbers
Telephone number: (02) 4921 3000
Fax number: (02) 4921 3599
Admissions Officer: (02) 4921 3641
Emergency Department: (02) 4921 3000
Ronald McDonald House bookings: (02) 4921 4733

Relatives' accommodation
In addition to the three accommodation units for relatives of adult patients on the John Hunter Campus, there is also accommodation specifically for families of young patients in The John Hunter Children's Hospital. Ronald McDonald House provides on-site accommodation for families of patients from outside the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie districts.

Auxiliary services and volunteers
The John Hunter Children's Hospital is assisted by many volunteers, including the Play Therapy Program, Pets as Therapy, Fairy Sparkle, The Humour Foundation's Clown Doctors, Starlight Foundation, Ronald McDonald Charities and Ward Grandparents. Our wonderful fundraising organizations, The John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club and The John Hunter Children's Hospital Research Foundation work tirelessly to provide financial support. For more information about any of these services, contact 4921 4492 during business hours.

Starlight Express Room
The Starlight Express room is a specially designed interactive room designed to brighten the lives of children in hospital. In the Starlight Room - located outside ward J2 - Captain Starlight reigns supreme, dazzling children with interactive games, comedy and fun. Activities and events in the Room are also broadcast live to children unable to make it to the Room. Generally, the Room is opened from Monday to Friday from 10.30am - 4.30pm and Saturdays from 10am - 2.00pm.

Ronald McDonald Family Room
The Ronald McDonald Family Room is a special place where parents of sick children can go to and relax, have something to eat, do a load of washing, listen to music or take some time out to read, without having to leave the hospital complex. The Room is located on level 1, outside ward J1 and includes sleeping facilities for parents who may need a quiet place to have a nap. This room is run by volunteers, and is opened on Monday - Friday from 8am till 9pm and Saturday from 9am till 3pm.

Fairy Sparkle Forest Garden (opening in June 2005)
The Fairy Sparkle Forest Garden is a sanctuary for patients and staff; a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the ward and take time out in a forest wonderland. Located on level 1, outside Ward J1 the Garden is also available to patients attending outpatient clinics.

Site map
A site map detailing bus stops, parking, main entry and traffic flow is available to make it easier to find your way around John Hunter Children's Hospital.

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