Our purpose/vision

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Service (CPRS) is leading the way in complex colorectal and pelvic care in Australia. We aim to deliver the highest quality clinical care to children and families with complex colorectal and pelvic conditions. We play a vital role in increasing the awareness, understanding and knowledge of these conditions in the community, and work collaboratively to educate health care professionals. 

The RCH CPRS aims to:

• Provide comprehensive and innovative care for the following conditions
  • Anorectal Malformations (ARM)
  • Hirschsprung Disease (HD)
  • Chronic Constipation
• Work in collaboration with our partners in urology, gynaecology, motility, stomal therapy and allied health to integrate specialised care. 
• Provide family centred care through collaboration, participation, information sharing, respect and dignity.
• Be respectful of all cultures, religions and relationships.
• Educate families, communities and health care professionals, both nationally and internationally.
• Develop and improve health care pathways and guidelines related to colorectal and pelvic conditions.
• Contribute to evidence-based medical, nursing and psychological research.
• Provide specialised outpatient clinics for colorectal and pelvic conditions including:
  • A multi-disciplinary team clinic with our collaborative health professionals.
  • A nurse-led clinic to support bowel management, to provide family education and to evaluate new referrals.
  • A stoma therapy clinic to support patients and families with stomal therapy needs.
    
  • A psychology clinic to support families in reducing the psychosocial impact of colorectal and pelvic conditions.
• Offer a preventative model of psychological care to all newly diagnosed children and their families.
• Develop care pathways and guidelines that reduce preoperative anxiety and the psychological impact of surgery.

Message from Professor Sebastian King 

The RCH has had a well-established and internationally-recognised role in the management of children with Complex Colorectal and Pelvic conditions. Initiated by Professor F. Douglas Stephens in the 1950s, there has been an ongoing clinical and academic focus upon children born with congenital colorectal conditions, particularly anorectal malformations. With the added interest, expertise and international reputations of Mr E. Durham Smith, Mr Justin Kelly and Professor John Hutson, the Departments of Paediatric Surgery and Urology have aimed to provide world-class care for children, adolescents and families affected by complex colorectal and pelvic conditions.

To address the increasing number and complexity of patients with complex colorectal and pelvic conditions, funding for the CPRS was approved and generously supplied by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Australian Government. The funds are used to support specialised nurses, allied health professionals and care coordinators to care for the children and families affected by complex colorectal and pelvic conditions.