Care closer to home
If your child can get the care and treatment they need at your local hospital, we may talk to you about moving them.
Being closer to home can make things easier for you and your family. It may mean you don’t have to travel long distances or stay somewhere else to be close to your child. You may also have family or friends closer to support you.
We’ll only transfer your child if their condition can be safely managed in your local hospital by a dedicated paediatric service.
If you choose to use your private health insurance, your child may also be able to go to a private hospital.
Before a transfer
Before transferring your child, we’ll talk to the paediatrician or specialist at your local hospital to make sure they can provide the care and treatment they need.
The clinical nurses from our transportation coordination hub will also confirm there’s a bed available. If there’s not, your child will stay in our hospital until there is one.
Managing your child’s transfer
Our Children’s Advice and Transportation Coordination Hub (CATCH) will manage your child’s transfer. They’ll usually travel by ambulance or a commercial or aeromedical flight if it’s more than 2 hours away.
We’ll do a comprehensive handover about your child’s condition with the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals at your local hospital.
More information
If you'd like more information about transferring your child between hospitals, please talk to their medical team.