The Heart of The Sick Sense
Welcome to The Sick Sense — specialists in Baby & Child First Aid Workshops across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter region.
Founded by Ilana Lawrence, a highly experienced Paediatric Nurse Consultant, The Sick Sense is built on a passion for paediatric health, holistic family care and empowering parents to confidently advocate for their children. Our mission is simple: to help families feel calm, capable and prepared when childhood illness or emergencies strike.
MEET ILANA LAWRENCE
PAEDIATRIC NURSE CONSULTANT, PARENT EDUCATOR & CHILD HEALTH ADVOCATE
A mum of two and fierce advocate for children’s health, Ilana brings together frontline clinical expertise with real-world parenting experience in every workshop.
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Raised in Lake Macquarie, she trained at Westmead Children’s Emergency Department in Sydney before returning to the Hunter region to work in advanced paediatric roles within Hunter New England Health including as a Paediatric Nurse Consultant focused on complex care and family education.
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Her approach blends evidence-based medicine, whole-family wellbeing, and giving parents the confidence to act, communicate and advocate for their child’s health.
QUALIFICATIONS & CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
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Bachelor of Nursing
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Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice – Paediatrics)
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Independent Nurse Immunisation Certification
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14+ years in paediatric emergency & critical care
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Advanced childhood illness & resuscitation training
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Paediatric Nurse Consultant & Advanced Practice Nurse
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Complex paediatric care & case management
EMPOWERING FAMILIES THROUGH BABY & CHILD FIRST AID
Through The Sick Sense Baby & Child First Aid Workshops, parents and carers learn how to:
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Respond calmly in emergencies
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Perform CPR and choking first aid
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Recognise early warning signs
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Manage common childhood injuries
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Communicate clearly with health professionals
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Advocate confidently
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Know when to escalate care
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Because when it comes to your child’s health, being prepared makes all the difference and trusting your instincts starts with tapping into your own Sick Sense.
BEING PREPARED MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
As a new mum it isn’t always easy to navigate what is normal, what is a concern, what needs to be monitored and when you need to take immediate action.
Amiee
