For patients and families
Welcome to Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) Neurology Service. Our team of neurologists, specialist neurology nurses and neurophysiologists provide care to WA children and adolescents with neurological conditions that require specialist management.
Some neurological conditions can be safely managed by general paediatricians. There are also neurologists that care for children and adolescents at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) and St John of God Public Hospital in Midland. Some families may also choose to see paediatric neurologists who offer care in private practice.
In the PCH service, we will provide specialised medical, nursing, and diagnostic care for your child’s condition primarily on an outpatient basis. We aim to deliver care continuity and wherever possible, your child will be seen by the same doctor and sometimes nurse at each outpatient visit.
Care in outpatient clinics may be offered face to face or virtually by video or telephone call.Your family doctor or GP is a core member of your child’s health care team, and you are encouraged to develop a relationship with a doctor in the community.
This doctor will be updated on your child’s care and management after visits to the hospital and it is therefore important that we have accurate GP details on our records.
Our clerical team can assist with this on the appointment day. Having a consistent pharmacist in the community will also support your child’s care and management. Pharmacists in the community are an excellent resource
for all medication related matters, including medication supply and education.
What to expect at a clinic
Before clinics
- You will receive a letter about a month before the appointment date, (please make sure your contact details are up to date), and a text message 2 days before.
You can download the “Manage My Care” app which provides details on all appointments.
- If you are unable to attend your appointment, please advise our clerical team as soon as possible by calling 6456 0131.
At clinic
- Allocating ample time to find parking at PCH is strongly encouraged.
- You should also allow 1-2 hours for your visit with the Neurology team.
- At clinic, you and your child:
- Will see a nurse who will assess and weigh your child.
- May meet with the neurology nurse for assessment, care planning and medication education.
- Be reviewed by a neurologist for assessment and review.
- You should:
- Be sure to have all neurology related medication prescription needs completed.
- Have your seizure management plan updated on a minimum yearly basis.
- Bring any questions you may have.
It is important to attend your clinic appointment
- Ongoing appointments are requested by your neurologist and/or specialist neurology nurse as required, and it is important to attend for regular review of your child’s condition.
- Please be advised that if you cancel your appointment, longer time frames between review may result and require a visit to your GP for interim needs.
In between appointments - the Neurology Nurse Service
The Neurology Nurse Service is a non-urgent service only. Between clinics neurology nurses may be able to provide support and assist with:
- Advice on seizure management.
- Seizure management plans.
- Medication questions and education.
Referral to neurology-based organisations in the community.
To reach our specialist nurses you may
1. Call 6456 4333 and follow the prompts.
2. Email the neurology nurses: PCH.NeurologyNurses@health.wa.gov.au
Enquiries are prioritised according to clinical need and in most cases, you will be contacted within 7 working days.
Should your matter be urgent you should
- Dial 000 for an ambulance.
- Proceed to your nearest emergency department.
- Locate an Urgent Care Clinic in the community.
- Arrange an urgent appointment with your regular GP.
Your opinion
We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions about the service we provide which can be provided through the Perth Children’s Hospital Consumer and Family Engagement Service at: https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/For-patients-and-visitors/Compliments-and-complaints. Or by calling 6456 0032.
Additional information
Epilepsy WA
Epilepsy WA offers a comprehensive range of support services to the Western Australian community, including in regional areas. These services aim to raise awareness about epilepsy and provide essential support to families impacted by the condition.
Key initiatives include monthly support groups, a free seizure-alert loan program, epilepsy training for schools, a head protection display, a free children’s book library, a telephone information line, peer-to-peer support through the Compassionate Ear Program, free resources and templates, as well as annual conferences and family events.
Conveniently located in Nedlands, the Epilepsy WA office is close to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and PCH.
For more information, call 1300 660 880 or visit https://www.epilepsywa.asn.au/
Epilepsy Action Australia
Epilepsy Action Australia is a NDIS registered organisation providing a range of resources and services to increase epilepsy awareness and knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy. The National Epilepsy Line operates Monday to Friday during business hours with epilepsy nurses providing epilepsy related information and support.
The service also offers education and training for families and professionals and maintains a comprehensive online resource library on a variety of epilepsy subjects including online self-management tools and information specifically for young people, teachers and parents and carers of children living with epilepsy.
For further details please visit the website at https://www.epilepsy.org.au/, call 1300 374537 or email epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au
NeuroKids
NeuroKids Paediatric Community Neurological Nursing and Health Navigation (NeuroKids) aims to optimise the health, wellbeing and quality of life of Western Australian children and adolescents impacted by neurological symptoms or conditions.
The free, confidential community-based paediatric community neurological nursing and health system navigation service offers accessible nurse-led support for WA kids, delivered via a mix of home visits, telephone calls and virtual nurse consults.
NeuroKids nurses support patients, families and carers to understand, manage and navigate their condition and/or symptoms, and connect with necessary or interim clinical, disability and social support services. NeuroKids nurses have broad clinical knowledge and skills to help manage the non-doctored aspects of health care and clinical education, as well as disability services and NDIS.
They work with treating professionals including neurologists, paediatricians, GPs, nurses and other allied health professionals, as well as specialist community organisations, to help you access the right information and supports at the right time.
NeuroKids can assist to successfully plan and manage hospital discharge to reduce relapse and readmission.
The Perth and Bunbury based NeuroKids nurses are supported by a team of NeuroCare community neurological nurses in their Albany and Geraldton offices, and mobile nurses in the Peel and Wheatbelt regions.
Kids, their parents, families and care team, can call direct to speak to a neurological nurse on 1800 645 771. More information is available online at https://www.ncwa.com.au/.