2  Introduction

Getting started in Respiratory Medicine at Monash Children’s.

A quick guide.

2.1 Welcome to the department

Welcome to the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Monash Children’s. We are delighted to have you with us and we want to make sure you get the most out of your rotation.

You can expect to see the breadth of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine during your training with us. As a subspecialty department we tend to see children on the more severe end of the illness spectrum. While we do see children with asthma as inpatients, these are usually children with more difficult to control disease or those who frequently need to be cared for in the Intensive Care Unit.

This is equally true for conditions such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis. Our colleagues in General Paediatrics see the brunt of admissions with these diagnoses. We usually get involved with those children who do not seem to follow the usual illness trajectory or difficulties with managing their asthma as outpatients. You will also find that clinical presentations often chose not to follow the plans that textbooks seem have laid down for them.

Children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pleural empyema or congenital lung abnormalities are usually admitted under our bed-card, and you can expect to care for a number of children with these conditions during your rotation. Children with chronic disease are often experts in their own health-care and we strongly advocate for this. Take it as an indicator of how empowered many of our young patients are should they point out areas in their care where they might disagree with you.

The Department of Respiratory Medicine works in close collaboration with the Melbourne Children’s Sleep Centre. Particularly for children with ventilation requirements you may frequently find both departments involved in the care for the child and family in close collaboration.

Again, a heartfelt welcome to our department. I am looking forward to working with you and truly hope you will enjoy your time with us.

Dr Angela McCullagh
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Director
Monash Children’s Hospital

2.1.1 Department structure

The workload in the Respiratory Department at Monash Children’s is divided between six Consultant Physicians. Not all Physicians take part in regular ward service.

  • Dr Angela McCullagh, Director
  • A/Prof David Armstrong
  • Prof Nick Freezer
  • A/Prof Gillian Nixon
  • Dr Rob Roseby
  • Dr Marc Theilhaber

In addition, the Respiratory Department is staffed with an Advanced Training Registrar (ATR) responsible for day to day supervision of ward patients and initial evaluation of consults as well as a Resident Medical Officer (RMO). On occasion the department employs an additional ATR or overseas Respiratory trainee.

We closely collaborate with the Department of Sleep Medicine. The following physicians are appointed to the Melbourne Children’s Sleep Centre:

  • A/Prof Margot Davey
  • Dr Lauren Nisbet
  • A/Prof Gillian Nixon, Director Non-Invasive Ventilation Services

The respiratory consultant on ward service is available for patient-related questions at all times. The best way to contact the on-call consultant is via switch-board (ext 92 or 9594 5813).