Social Work services are available to any child or family who is a patient of The Royal Children's Hospital.
Hours
Social Work services operate from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
A Social Work service is also provided in the Emergency Department from 8 am to midnight on weekdays and from 10:30 am to midnight on weekends.
After Hours Social Work is available from 16.30- 0.00 on weeknights and 08.00- 20.00 on weekends and public holidays.
A limited after-hours, on-call social work service is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for families experiencing acute trauma or crisis. This services can be activated via the RCH Nursing Hospital Manager.
How long before social workers can see people referred?
The Social Work Department aims to be responsive and provide timely service.
Who can make referrals?
Referrals can be made by patients, their families, RCH staff or community based professionals.
How can referrals be made?
Referrals can be made:
By phoning the Social Work Department on 9345 6111. Helpful information to provide includes:
- Patient name
- Hospital MRN number
- Medical team the child is treated under
- Current medical issues and prognosis
- Reason for referral and urgency
Referrals can also made via EMR order. Please include as much information as possible. EMR orders with insufficient information or no referral reason will be rejected.
By phoning the onsite After Hours Social Worker through Switchboard, on 9345 5522 or Ascom 52443.
By phoning the Emergency Department Social Worker on 9345 4914 or Ascom 52853.