Background
The APSU commenced surveillance in May 1993. There are approximately 1390 paediatricians and child health clinicians reporting to the APSU.
APSU has been evaluated twice (in 1999 and 2007) according to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) criteria. In both evaluations APSU was found to fulfil its objectives and met key CDC criteria. Both evaluations also included direct feedback from paediatricians who participate in monthly surveillance, who perceived the APSU to be educationally useful particularly in the provision of diagnostic criteria for the rare conditions studied. It was perceived to be a simple and flexible scheme and acceptable in terms of workload.
APSU collaborates closely with the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit, sharing study protocols where possible and appropriate, as well as having representation on each other's scientific review panels.
Contact Details
Professor Elizabeth Elliott (Director)
schn-apsu@health.nsw.gov.au
Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU)
Level 2, Research Building
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Locked Bag 4001
Westmead NSW 2145
Australia
Tel: 61 2 9845 3005
Fax: 61 2 9845 3082
apsu@chw.edu.au
www.apsu.org.au