CHILD SAFETY AND SECURITY

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IDENTIFICATION

At Gold Coast Private, we take the safety and security of your baby seriously. As part of the security provided to your baby, we require a passport sized photo of the mother and significant other. This will be attached to the baby’s cot card. These are returned to you when your baby goes home. We ask that you supply these photos when you have your appointment with the midwife in week 20.

Your baby will have two identifications bands on after birth. The information on these identification bands is checked with you and your support person and contains:

• Mother’s name e.g. Smith Baby Off (B/O) Mary
• Date of baby’s birth
• Time of birth
• Gender
• Mother and baby’s hospital identifier number

Please notify staff if either of these bands fall off so that a new one can be reapplied. These bands will be checked with the mother’s bands if for some reason the mother and baby have been separated and the baby is returned. Partners/support persons will wear a green arm band whilst the mother is in hospital. If the baby is in the Special Care Nursery a green arm band will be given to both mother and partner.

STAFF IDENTIFICATION
All hospital staff will wear photo identification, including your doctor whilst on hospital grounds.

Healthscope Identification Policy states that parents should:

• Never leave your baby/child in your room alone. Ask a nurse/family member to supervise your baby/child. This includes when you leave the room to shower.
• Do not hand your child over to anyone that you do not know.
• Request to see staff identification if you do not know the staff member.
• Question why an unfamiliar staff member may be in your room.
• Keep your baby’s bassinette/cot away from the door leading out of your room

COT SAFETY
Always have your cot lying flat. When walking around the ward, please ensure that your baby is placed in the cot.

SAFE INFANT SLEEPING

• Place your baby on their back to sleep
• Place your baby in the cot when you and your baby are sleeping
• Leave your baby’s head uncovered
• Do not place toys, including soft toys in the cot
• Avoid the use of bumper, doona and pillows
• Keep baby in a smoke free environment

CAR SAFETY
It is the law in Australia that all children are restrained according to height and age when travelling by car. The restraint should meet the Australian and New Zealand Standards. Ensure that your baby’s car seat is installed prior to your due date.

Child Restraint Laws

OTHER HELPFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Home Safety Checklist

Child Restraint Brochure

Carry with Care

Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Infant Sleep Information Source

Sids and Kids

Quit Now

13 HEALTH (24 hour health hotline including child health)
13 43 25 84

Alcohol and Drug Information Service
07 3837 5989
1800 177 833

Australian Childhood Immunisation Register
1800 653 809

Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline
1800 686 2 686

Beyond Blue The National Depression Initiative
1300 224 636

Kidsafe
07 3854 1829

Parentline
1300 301 300

Poisons Information Centre
13 11 26

Child and Youth Health Fact-sheets