Follow up and support
When you go home with your baby, it is important to know there is a lot of support available for you to access in the community.
If your baby is sick and you are concerned, you should see your family doctor or go to your local Emergency Department.
Neonatology provides follow-up monitoring for babies who may be vulnerable to developmental challenges after birth due to any of the following:
- Preterm birth (before 32 weeks)
- Major surgery in the neonatal period
- Seizures or fits or needing to be cooled in the neonatal period
- Serious illnesses such as meningitis
Follow-up schedule
Your baby will be followed-up at regular intervals:
- Soon after discharge
- At four months
- At eight months
- At 12 months for a detailed developmental assessment
- Some babies may be recommended for longer term follow up
Refer to the Follow Up Program page for more information.
Neonatology Home Visiting Nurse (HVN)
If your baby was born less than 35 weeks gestation or their birthweight was less than 1800g, you will receive support from the neonatal home visiting nurse (via a visit or telehealth appointment).
If you live in the Perth metropolitan area the nurse will come and visit you in your home after your baby is discharged from hospital.
If your baby is transferred to another hospital and stays over 7 days, the nurse will not visit and follow up will be arranged by that hospital.
If you are from the country or out of the Perth catchment area you will receive a phone call. The nurse will be able to answer any concerns and provide support and will then hand over care to the child health nurse.
The HVN presents a talk entitled 'Going Home' at KEMH every Thursday at 10:30am.
Topics include:
- feeding and weight
- adjusting to being at home
- safe sleeping
- when to seek help
- support at home
Alternatively, you can watch a video of the talk.
Child Health Nurse
The child health nurse will receive a referral from the hospital once your baby has been discharged and they will arrange to come and visit you.
Your local child health centre details will be listed in your Purple Book if you need to contact them.
The nurse will follow your baby’s growth and development until they enter school and provide information regarding ongoing immunisations now you are home.
You will need to take your Purple Child Health Book to all appointments, and you will find that some information has already been filled in by the hospital.
Visit Community Health for more information and resources.
General Practitioner
Your GP will receive a medical discharge summary outlining the care and treatment your baby received while in hospital.
Physiotherapy developmental follow up
Physiotherapy developmental playgroups are offered at KEMH for babies admitted to the KEMH and/or PCH Neonatal Units who were born at less than 32 weeks gestation or whose birthweight was less than 1500grams.
Families that live within the metropolitan area will be contacted, usually when their baby is around 3 months corrected age.
Child Development Service
The metropolitan Child Development Service provides a range of assessment, early intervention and treatment services to children with developmental delay or difficulty that impacts on function, participation and/or parent-child relationship.
There are many support services available for Aboriginal families.
Koorliny Moort
Koorliny Moort helps Aboriginal families navigate the CAHS health service, providing support and coordination of care for children who come to hospital on a regular basis.
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
This Aboriginal medical service delivers culturally secure primary health, maternal and child health, mental health and dental services for Aboriginal families living in the Perth metropolitan area.
Babbingur Mia: South Coastal Health and Community Services
Babbingur Mia offer a friendly and supportive service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Rockingham and Kwinana areas. They offer support for women, new mums, babies, children and men in achieving good health with social and emotional wellbeing.
CAHS Aboriginal Health Team
The Aboriginal Health Team provides culturally appropriate and secure services to the Aboriginal community across the Perth metropolitan area with children from birth to five years.
The team provides additional support to families through targeted and intensive services, specifically designed for vulnerable families.
You have a right to apply for access to documents and notes regarding your baby.
You do not need to give a reason for applying.
Health Direct
Provides free health information and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Kidsafe WA
Information on preventing child injuries at home and in the community.
Medicines information in pregnancy and breastfeeding helpline
The Obstetric Medicines Information Service at KEMH is made up of a team of specialist pharmacists committed to providing you with free up-to-date, evidence-based information about the safe use of medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Multiple Birth Association Western Australia
Provides support and information for families with twins and multiples births.
Ngala
Parenting help for families with children from birth to 18 years of age.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia)
A free national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood.
Raising Children Network
Australian parenting website with free articles, videos and interactive resources to help your family grow and thrive together.