A new institute dedicated to improving emergency medical care for severely injured children will be established in New South Wales following recent high‑profile trauma events in the state.
Based at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, the NSW Institute for Paediatric Trauma will bring together clinicians, researchers and specialists to deliver advanced training and simulations across the health system. Expected to be operational within six months, the institute aims to prepare medical teams for complex paediatric trauma cases, from initial emergency treatment to long‑term rehabilitation.
The NSW health minister, Ryan Park, said the initiative follows emergency responses to critical incidents in the state. “The events that occurred at Bondi Beach and at Bondi Junction have forever left their mark on NSW,” Park said. “Seeing the way in which our frontline workers and clinicians responded to these events with such courage and professionalism was nothing short of remarkable.” He added that while trauma cannot always be prevented, readiness can be improved.
Dr Guy Henry, co‑director of trauma services at Randwick, explained that treating children requires distinct clinical approaches. He noted that paediatric admissions differ from adult cases, citing internal organ injuries in adolescents and a rise in e‑bike crashes, as well as different burn patterns. He emphasised the need for regular education and mass‑casualty simulations, citing the 2017 Manchester Arena attack as evidence that practice improves outcomes.
Training will initially be based at Randwick, with plans to extend the program across regional NSW and into the ACT, where paediatric trauma cases are often transferred to Sydney hospitals. The institute will also provide simulation training for pre‑hospital first responders, including paramedics, firefighters, police and the State Emergency Service. It will address the psychological toll on healthcare workers and families, recognising that upskilling staff can lessen trauma. The institute will draw on expertise from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and complement the Agency for Clinical Innovation’s Institute of Trauma and Injury Management, with philanthropic support from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
