Tertiary Clinics Network

Child and Adolescent Obesity Clinics Of Australasia Network

Mission Statement

The Child and Adolescent Obesity Clinics Of Australasia Network (CAOCOA-Net) fosters and coordinates collaboration among tertiary paediatric obesity services in Australian and New Zealand in order to promote research, optimal clinical practice, health professional training and advocacy.

Network Aims

  1. Agreement on minimum data set that is routinely collected

  2. Comparison of outcomes of different clinics through data sharing

  3. Provision of networking opportunities and links with other allied health personnel

  4. Establishment of a bio-bank for high risk individuals

  5. Establishment of multi-centre trials

  6. Development of guidelines for primary, secondary and tertiary level care

  7. Support for advocacy at state or Federal level as hospitals seek to develop their local services

  8. Development of international linkages with similar organizations and research groups

  9. Provision of health professional training, mentorship and support

Governance Structure

Working Groups

  • Dietitians

  • Nurses and Clinical Coordinators

  • Physical Activity and Physiotherapy

  • Psychosocial

  • Clinical and Medical

  • IT, databases and website

  • Funding and Lobbying

Funding

Initial support from ACAORN has enabled the membership to participate in a series of teleconferences and face-to-face meeting in December 2008 and 26th June 2009.
However, it is recognised that independent funding is essential to further progress this initiative. At this stage, CAOCOA-Net is in the process of identifying philanthropic organisations and other funding bodies who may be able to provide infrastructure support.

Membership

Existing Tertiary Obesity Clinics in Australia and New Zealand

  • Adolescent weight management clinic, The Children's Hospital at Westmead (Sydney)

  • Child weight management program, The Children's Hospital at Westmead (Sydney)

  • CHW Endocrinology clinic for clinical insulin resistance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead (Sydney)

  • Family weight management clinic, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Sydney)

  • Child weight management clinic, Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne)

  • Princess Margaret Hospital - Endocrinology department (Perth)

  • KOALA at Mater Healthy Lifestyle Program (Brisbane)

  • Paediatrics & Child Health In Dunedin (Dunedin, New Zealand)

Other Relevant Australian Tertiary Clinics

  • Royal Children's Hospital (Brisbane)

  • The Canberra Hospital (Canberra)

  • John Hunter Children's Hospital (Hunter Area)

  • Flinders Medical Centre - Children's health (Adelaide)

  • University of Newcastle

Other Relevant New Zealand Tertiary Clinics

  • BodyWise Clinic (Hamilton)

  • Auckland

  • Northland

  • Christchurch

  • Kids in Action, Counties Manukau