Families on the Redlands Coast can access a dedicated paediatric emergency care any time, with Redland Hospital’s Paediatric Emergency Department (ED) open 24/7.
The service, which opened in 2014, has steadily expanded and is now available overnight, giving children access to care in a child-friendly space at all hours.
Emergency Department Director Dr John Sutherland said the change was good for local families.
"Bringing a sick or injured child to the ED in the middle of the night is stressful," he said.
"Now, parents can have peace of mind knowing their child will be seen in a quieter, more suitable environment, with dedicated paediatric care available at any hour.
"Local mum-of-three and childcare worker Emily Reid recently visited the Redland Hospital Paediatric Emergency Department with her 10-month-old son Tate who had received pathology results the night prior to her visit and had both RSV and rhinovirus.
"Tate wasn't keeping any food down,” she said.
"It wasn’t so much the cold itself that had me worried, it was more that he was vomiting, and I was concerned about him not staying hydrated.”
Emily praised the hospital’s newly extended 24/7 paediatric emergency care and said it was a relief knowing there was somewhere close to home to access care for the kids - especially at night.
"The staff are great, it’s a godsend."
The extended hours were made possible with additional nurses, doctors, and support staff to manage overnight care.
"The feedback from the community is really positive. It’s a big step forward for paediatric care on the Redlands Coast.”