Calls and retrieval information
NETS is contacted when a baby or child needs (or is at risk of needing) intensive care and treatment which is not available at the hospital where they are being treated.
Only three hospitals in the state of NSW treat the sickest children; the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick and the John Hunter Children's Hospital in Newcastle.
Another seven hospitals provide medical intensive care for newborn babies. All these hospitals are in major metropolitan areas. Some referring hospitals are closer to interstate teaching hospitals, and NETS coordinates the link with services in those hospitals.
Rather than rushing the child from one hospital to another, a specialist team is sent out by ambulance, helicopter or aircraft to treat, stabilise and then carefully move the child. This team is called a 'retrieval team'. A NETS retrieval team comprises a specialist doctor and a specialist nurse. NETS has a staff of doctors, nurses and emergency vehicle operators (EVOs) as well as support staff.
NETS referral line
To make a referral to NETS, clinicians should call 1300 36 2500.
Team-based care
The major impact of NETS extends beyond patient transport. It provides a point of clinical triage for patients too sick for normal ambulance transfer between hospitals. It connects clinicians to the referral or destination hospitals in a telephone conference to discuss the best treatment and appropriateness of transfer or retrieval.
NETS is also a clinical coordination point for critically ill or injured infants and children. This includes obstetric cases when maternal transfer may or may not be possible, and neonatal retrieval may be needed.
NETS works with materno-fetal specialists, neonatologists, paediatric intensivists, emergency medicine specialists, surgeons and other specialists to provide referring doctors with rapid access to the advice of senior clinicians regularly involved in such transfer decisions.
Clinical calls and coordination
Clinical Calls are received and placed into a virtual conference room by the Clinical Coordinator or RN Coordinator. NETS duty consultant/s then chair the conference and provide specialist support and advice.
The NETS' nurse coordinator
- takes all calls
- manages the conference call process
- dispatches clinical teams in appropriate vehicles
- maintains radio contact with ambulances and receiving hospitals to discuss patient management via conference call.
The Clinical Coordinator, RN Coordinator and administrative support officer will work seamlessly together in contacting and adding relevant participants including specialty and subspecialty clinicians, as requested by the NETS Consultant.