About us
The 5th floor Medical Unit is a 32 bed specialist medical unit where a multidisciplinary team cares for children and infants with a diverse range of acute and chronic illnesses.
The unit staff are friendly, supportive, take pride in their clinical skills, and are committed to family centred care that seeks to minimise the effects of illness and hospitalisation. Children whose admissions are prolonged or who have especially complex needs receive a modified primary nursing model of care led by our Care Managers.
The ward has five medical specialties: General Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, and Developmental Medicine. Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, Pneumonia, Type 1 Diabetes, Biliary Atresia, and Cerebral Palsy are just a few of the diagnostic groups that are managed in the unit. Children who have had a tracheostomy are cared for on the 5th floor. We are also the home unit for the pre and post-operative management of children who have undergone liver transplantation.
The 5th floor Medical Unit is also home to the childrens Ventilation Support unit, caring for children who require non-invasive ventilatory support such as CPAP and BiPAP, and full ventilation via tracheostomy. In conjunction with the department of Respiratory Medicine sleep studies are conducted on this unit.
Registered nurses are supported and encouraged to practise autonomously and to participate in ongoing professional development. A unit education program compliments the hospital program and is developed by the Clinical Nurse Facilitators.
The staff on the 5th floor are comprised of a dedicated team of nurses, ward clerks and P.S.A.'s. Comprehensive orientation is available for new staff on the unit with additional support available for those wishing to make the transition from adult nursing.
The 5th floor Medical Unit also plays an important role in the support of undergraduate student nurse placements, the Graduate Nurse Programme (GNP), Career Advancement Year (CAY) participants, and students undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice - Paediatric stream.
5th Floor Medical Unit Values Statement
To provide the highest quality person centered care, professionally, with integrity and compassion.
The 5th Floor Medical Unit Values
- Autonomy, innovation and excellence in nursing practice.
- Respect for ethnic, cultural, spiritual and social diversity.
- Patient centered care within the context of family and community.
- Accountability and advocacy in patient care.
- Open, honest communication.
- Teamwork.
- Ongoing education and development in practice.
- Evidence based clinical practice.