Information for families and community

It can be hard and sometimes frightening to find your way through the health system when your baby or child is seriously ill. The Paediatric Liaison and Navigation Service (PLaNS) is here to help you and your family get the care, information, and support that is right for your child.

Who can use PLaNS?

PLaNS can help you find your way through the health system if you have a baby, child or young person who is under 18, has complex health needs or is seriously ill and:

• they need to travel outside the ACT for specialist medical care

or

• they see multiple health professionals or services for their health care.

About PLaNS

PLaNS is a child and family service run by Canberra Health Services. It is for families who live in the ACT and surrounding region.

We know that you and your child are experts in your child’s health. PLaNS will listen to what you say about your child’s needs and experiences, what is important to you and respect your knowledge. PLaNS team members will work with you and your family to make sure your child gets timely, high quality, safe care that is right for them.

PLaNS can:

• help you coordinate care for your child
• ensure that your knowledge and experience of your child’s health care is part of the planning and decision making
• connect you with the health and community services you need
• help you anticipate barriers and solve problems in your child’s health or their care
• provide support with managing your child’s health day-to-day – at home, at school, and in the community

Our team members will meet with you to get to know your child and your family and discuss whether this service is right for you. This can include talking about your child’s health needs, your family’s situation, and any services that already help you. We will ask your permission to contact these services to help coordinate your child’s care. This can stop you from having to repeat your story.

PLaNS will never share information without your permission.

We will involve you and your child in developing a care plan. The care plan will include:

• goals agreed by your child (if appropriate), you and other family members, the treating team and any other important people involved in your child’s care
• a daily plan to manage your child’s health. This may include your child’s treatments, medicines, devices, and support at school
• what to do if your child’s health gets worse or there is a health emergency
• names and contact details for important people involved in the care plan.

PLaNS will help young people and their families move to adult services as they reach 18.

If your family moves interstate, PLaNS will help you to connect with the services you need there.

Contact

Need to know more about the service and how it may help you and your child?

We are available during business hours Monday to Friday (public holidays excepted)

Please call (02) 5124 5030 or email PLaNS@act.gov.au

This health information sheet was made in partnership with Health Care Consumers Association (HCCA)