Keeping Kids in No Distress (KKIND)

Who we are

PCH’s Keeping Kids in No Distress (KKIND) service aims to help children cope with medical trauma, anxiety and distress caused by illness, injury or hospitalisation.

The KKIND team includes a KKIND coordinator, occupational therapists, and an allied health assistant.

We work collaboratively with medical, surgical, nursing and allied health teams across the hospital to support your child.

Services we provide

We understand that children and their families may experience trauma, anxiety and distress as a result of illness, injury and being in hospital.

Through PCH’s KKIND program, our staff work with patients and their families to help them cope with understandable levels of stress and anxiety while they are in hospital or having medical procedures.

KKIND is a referral-based service for children under a PCH consultant.

There are three levels of KKIND service:

• Universal – when a child is experiencing some distress about being in hospital but is coping well, general support will be provided for the family as well as information about common issues children experience in hospital. Distress levels will be monitored and the family can be referred for more help if necessary.
• Targeted – when a child is showing increasing signs of distress and persistent signs of not coping, staff will provide extra support and guidance. Distress levels will be monitored and the family can be referred for more help if necessary.
• Clinical – if a child is showing severe distress, further considerations and advocacy can be made for onwards referrals in consultation with the treating team.

Our aim is that patients will receive universal KKIND care to help them cope with normal stress and anxiety while they are in hospital or having medical procedures. Some patients may need extra care if their distress levels are very high. Families play a big part in ensuring that their child’s needs are being met, and it’s important for parents to remember to take care of themselves. We can provide you with resources and clinical support during your child’s stay in hospital. 

Ask a member of your child’s medical team whether KKIND is appropriate for them.