From saving babies’ lives thanks to resuscitation training and new video equipment, and increasing patient care and outcomes by using specialised ultrasounds, to upskilling nursing staff in response to a surge in eating disorders, funding will support critically ill children and young people of all ages across the Barwon area.

Purchasing a video laryngoscope

Purchasing a video laryngoscope for the neonatal unit at Southwest Healthcare will allow trainees and junior consultants to improve their skills in intubating premature babies, by allowing other clinicians to watch the procedure via video and provide guidance in real-time. 

Support for eating disorders

Responding to a surge in eating disorders and mental health admissions, which has continued since COVID-19, training will further develop the skills of paediatric nursing staff at Barwon Health and Southwest, ranging from short courses to a graduate certificate in mental health. 

Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training 

In addition to enabling a broad range of treatments, such as performing lumbar punctures, and checking for collapsed lungs, research shows that POCUS improves patient care by accelerating clinical diagnoses, improving procedural success, and making invasive procedures less painful. With new funding, Barwon Health staff can access the RCH’s POCUS education package, and purchase simulation practice equipment, thereby increasing local skills, and further benefiting the region’s paediatric patients. 

Resuscitation training

Enhancing resuscitation training for neonatal care staff across the region, Barwon Health will purchase training manikins, and procure licenses to deliver the NeoResus training program, which has standardised the teaching of newborn resuscitation in Victoria. NeoResus training will be delivered to staff in Geelong and Warrnambool, who will then deliver the training within their own health service, as well as to smaller services nearby.   

2025 Funding Update

Barwon Health is the largest service in the Barwon Southwest region, providing tertiary medical care and a comprehensive range of offerings to the community. The hospital has been able to fund training programs and life-saving equipment, helping advance paediatric healthcare in the area.

• Support for eating disorders – Responding to a surge in eating disorders and mental health admissions, which has continued since COVID-19, training will further develop the skills of paediatric nursing staff. It has also supported refurbishments in the hospital’s Children’s Ward to enable group activities for eating disorder patients and nurses have been able to enroll in postgraduate study, short courses, and attend conferences.
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• Neonatal resuscitation – Purchase of mannequins and training licenses in relation to neonatal resuscitation, which has expanded their capacity to deliver essential training programs and provide excellent care. Not only has this made a difference for staff in Geelong, but it has also helped to upskill teams across the region, including in Warrnambool and Colac.
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• Scholarships and training: Provided the hospital’s clinical staff access to scholarships and short courses, supporting point of care ultrasound training, empowering staff to help improve patient experience and reduce their exposure to radiation.
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“Thanks to our partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, Barwon Health has enhanced the care we provide to children and their families, ensuring our Barwon South West community has access to local treatment and care,”

Francer Diver, Barwon Health Chief Executive.