Meet 14 year old Beau, an extremely happy boy “with a slice of cheekiness”, as described by his Mum, Michelle. 💛
Beau lives with cystic fibrosis (CF) – an inherited genetic disorder causing severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs – and cerebral palsy (CP) – a group of neurological conditions that affect body movement and muscle control. Supported by our Nutrition and Food Services team his entire life, we’re proud to share his journey this #DietitiansWeek.
Michelle shares, “From 2.5 years old, Beau had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube (a type of feeding tube) up until about 8.5 months ago. We have been battling his weight due to his CP – he burns more calories than normal and has to have a high fat salty diet due to his CF, which can be tricky to manage at times.”
“The Dietitians at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) have provided so much care for us over the last 14 years. They’ve helped us understand how to read calories and have given us strategies to help Beau eat more, and thankfully, he is now eating since the removal of his PEG.”
“They have always been there for us anytime we’ve needed their guidance. We are truly grateful to have them in our life, there is no question too silly or small.”
“When Beau was first born and we were learning about his CF, the Dietitians spent a lot of time with me to make sure I understood everything. It was a lot being a first time mum, and we had our challenges with his PEG, but they were always there, always helping us.”
“We are so lucky to have such a wonderful team at the WCH. Jodi has been incredible to us and has known Beau since birth, supporting us every step of the way.”
“We cannot thank the rest of the team who have provided support to us over the years. Happy Dietitians Week to them all!”
Thank you to Beau and Michelle for sharing your journey with us and a big thank you to all our Dietitians for the incredible work you do. 🌟
For more information on our Nutrition and Food Services, visit the link in our bio.
To honour their son Lewis’ legacy, Mum, Janelle and Dad, Chris are offering comfort and kindness to others during times of heartbreak at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH).
“In January 2025, our son Lewis Christopher was born sleeping. During our time in hospital, the midwives provided us with incredible compassion and support. Some gifted us small items for Lewis, including a teddy, blanket and beanie. These keepsakes brought us immense comfort and became deeply meaningful as we navigated the early days of our grief,” shared Janelle.
“After returning home, to help process my grief and honour Lewis, I began crocheting blankets and beanies for other babies born sleeping. Each piece was made with love and care.”
“I added tags to let families know they were donated in Lewis’ memory. This became a way to keep his presence close while offering comfort to others experiencing unimaginable loss.”
“I made soy candles for families to light in remembrance of their babies. I put together some boxes with these items for families who lost their child.”
“When we returned to the hospital to donate these items, Lewis' Dad and I felt inspired to do more. For Lewis’ first birthday, we invited our family, friends and workplaces to help us create care boxes for other families.”
“These boxes included thoughtful and supportive items such as books ‘Miles Apart’ and ‘Still a Mum’, a book to read to their baby, a teddy, blanket, beanie, candle and other meaningful contributions we hoped would provide comfort during such a difficult time.”
“We were honoured to deliver these boxes to the hospital on Lewis’s first birthday, as a way to celebrate his life and support other families facing similar heartbreak.”
“Chris and I hope to continue this tradition each year honouring Lewis’ memory by giving back and offering comfort to others in his name.”
Thank you to Janelle and Chris for sharing Lewis’ story with us, and for giving back to others in his memory. 🤍
𝗡𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗹𝗲? 𝗡𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺! 2 year old Charles is now eligible for the free nasal spray flu vaccine with no needle required.
Clare, Charles' mum shares “Charles has had his vaccines for other things and never handled the needle well, so this is a great alternative.”
Sound familiar? The nasal spray is now FREE for children aged 2 to less than 5 years and is also available for 5 to 17 year olds at an additional cost of $50
People who are aged 5 to <18 years old and are medically at risk can access a free injection but may prefer to buy the spray.
Free flu vaccines are available for:
✅ Kids aged 6 months to 5 years
✅ People aged 65 and over
✅ Pregnant women
✅ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians
✅ People with specific health conditions
Want to find out more? Visit the link in our bio.
If your child:
🔹 has had an outpatient appointment in the last 6 months or
🔹 has an upcoming outpatient appointment or
🔹 is an inpatient or
🔹 is a household member of a current patient at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH)
please visit our Immunisation Clinic to receive the nasal spray flu vaccine - more information is available via the link in our bio.
𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧–𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙪𝙤 💙 To mark #InternationalNursesDay, we’re celebrating a special family connection at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH).
Mum, Paula and daughter, Emmaline (Emmy) both work as nurses on our paediatric wards, sharing a deep passion for caring for patients and families. Paula works in Adolescent Ward, while Emmy cares for babies aged 0–12 months in Rose Ward.
In a lovely twist, it was daughter Emmy who inspired Paula to become a nurse. At 50, after a varied career, Paula began studying nursing - proof it’s never too late to follow your calling.
“You are never too old to start,” says Paula.
“I love being there for the kids. Working in Adolescent Ward, it’s all about the patient. At this age they can speak for themselves, and I can be that nurturer figure.”
Emmy shares her mum’s passion for nursing:
“Nursing is the most amazing job. You can go in so many directions and do so many things. When your baby is unwell it can be a scary time for families, so we do what we can to make a difficult time a little bit better.”
We thank Paula, Emmy, and all nurses for the care, dedication and heart you bring to your work - every shift, every patient, every family.
💐 Happy International Nurses Day 💐
“𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥.”– Mum, Lauren
Happy Mother’s Day to Lauren who spent Mother’s Day at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) with baby number 3, Lewis.
Lewis was born in early May but Lauren has returned to our Postnatal Ward due to a complication.
“We decided on the name Lewis because we’re originally from Scotland and there’s an island back home called ‘Lewis and Harris’ - so it was a nice nod to back home give his older brother is called Harris… but I also just love Lewis Capaldi!” said Lauren
Lauren spent the day enjoying a visit from her family, including Lewis’s siblings, brother Harris and sister Maggie. Her husband and kids brought her flowers and cake, and in a lovely touch also brought flowers for all the nursing staff on the ward to thank them for their care!
We hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day, Lauren and Lewis and we’re so happy to hear you are going home today.
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women in our lives, especially those who may be experiencing grief, loss and also those who may be hoping to be a Mum on day. 🩷
4 year old Anica Lulo was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and came from Alice Springs to our Michael Rice Centre for Haematology and Oncology (MRCHO) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) for treatment.
Anica is described by our staff as a “delightful little girl”. "𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺" shared Nursing Service Director of MRCHO, Edmondo.
We are thrilled to share this special moment on 14 of April 2026 when Anica Lulo rang the traditional MRCHO end of treatment bell!
"𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘙𝘊𝘏𝘖 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮, 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘓𝘶𝘭𝘰’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭, 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥, 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦." he said.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘙𝘊𝘏𝘖. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵/𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦.” explains Edmondo.
“𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘓𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘙𝘊𝘏𝘖!”
Thank you so much to Anica, her family and our MRCHO staff for sharing this with us.
Did you spot our CaFHS stall at the @pbcexpo ? 💜 We loved connecting with so many new and expecting parents and sharing how our free Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) supports families right from the very beginning.
We were so thrilled to have many positive and meaningful conversations about children’s health, development and wellbeing.
Our CaFHS nurses, midwives, allied health, cultural consultants (and many more!) work alongside families to offer guidance on feeding, sleep, child development, parenting, and navigating the joys and challenges of early parenthood.
Support usually starts in the home with a visit when your newborn is between 1-4 weeks, with follow on child health and development checks recommended at various milestones up until your child starts primary school.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with us. It was a pleasure meeting you and being part of such a supportive community.
For information about CaFHS free services, visit the link in our bio.
Midwifery isn’t just about delivering babies, it’s something so much deeper and personal…
For #InternationalDayoftheMidwife, Olivia, Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) Midwife and Nurse Manager, takes us through some of the misconceptions of midwifery.
Thank you to Olivia and all the midwives out there for your continuous and deep level of care for women and families. We couldn’t do life without you 🤍
#MayThe4thBeWithYou 🌌 ⚔️✨ From Jedi to the Mandalorian, legendary Star Wars characters brought the force to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH), transforming it into a galaxy far, far away.
A big thank you to our incredible visitors for helping make Star Wars Day so special. 💛
#StarWarsDay #StarWars
𝟭 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘇𝗼’𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲 ❤️ 14 year old Enzo lives with Progeria, a rare condition that causes rapid ageing, which led to his heart failing in April 2025.
Nearly 20 specialists from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) and Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) came together in 2025 to perform a world first procedure – TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation), a procedure normally used for elderly patients.
Enzo’s mum, Catherina, shares, “It feels like a truly special and meaningful milestone, not only for Enzo and our family, but of what can be achieved when incredible doctors and the health system come together.”
“Their work gave Enzo a second chance at life, and he is now making the most of every moment.”
“You won’t believe how good he is – he ran the 100 metre sprint in sports day at school. He is enjoying everything that he loves!”
On his 1 year anniversary, Enzo and his family visited both hospitals to reconnect with the doctors and nurses who helped save his life.
“Our dream is to one day meet the whole team, that would be incredibly special. WCH will always feel like our second home.”
They also stopped by Adelaide Oval to watch his favourite team, the Adelaide Crows, who secured a win on his special day.
“It’s incredible how things align in Enzo’s life, the Crows game fell on the same day as his procedure anniversary, and all he wanted was to sing the song with the boys. A wish truly came true.”
“It’s so heartwarming to see how people embrace him. He has a special gift for putting a smile on people’s faces.”
Enzo and his family will be at the Showdown, cheering on the Adelaide Crows. ❤️💙💛
Thank you to Catherina and Enzo for sharing this wonderful and inspiring update – we can’t wait to see what else the future holds for Enzo!
@teamenzoprogeria
🩵 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 #𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🩵
For many families, the first friendly face they meet at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) isn’t a clinician, it’s one of our amazing administrative staff.
To celebrate and recognise their contribution, we held morning teas across the Network in appreciation of our incredible admin teams, just like this one at the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH).
From welcoming patients at the front desk to keeping essential systems running behind the scenes, our administrative professionals connect every part of our hospital and community services.
With more than 500 staff across WCHN, they support over 400,000 patient visits each year and process more than 80,000 referrals, helping care run smoothly every single day.
Thank you to our incredible admin staff for your professionalism, care and dedication – your work never goes unnoticed.
Leave a comment for your favourite administrative staff below! 🫶
Meet Pauline (pictured right), our April Volunteer of the Month who has been supporting families in our Neonatal Services (NNS) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) for 6 years.
After 48 years working with families in the community, Pauline was inspired by the volunteers she once coordinated, drawn to their generosity and care. She now brings that same compassion to babies and families in NNS.
One experience that has stayed with Pauline was supporting a family from interstate whose baby spent more than 100 days in Neonatal Intensive Care (NIC). Pauline cared for their older children, giving the parents space to be with their baby during a challenging time.
“Being able to help this family was an amazing and privileged experience. I get so much joy and feel blessed to be volunteering at the WCH,” says Pauline.
Pauline’s kindness is deeply valued by staff. Clinical Nurse/Midwife Teresa (pictured left) shares: “Pauline is an absolute joy to have within NNS. She brings warmth, positivity and genuine compassion, making a meaningful difference to both families and staff.”
Thank you to Pauline for the care and compassion you bring to our hospital, babies and families every week. 💜
Volunteering can make a real difference, for families and for you. If Pauline’s story has inspired you, find out more about becoming a volunteer at WCHN via the link in our bio.
