Participate in P.A.R.T.Y.

Information for Schools

Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) is a dynamic, interactive health promotion program for teenagers aged 14 years and over.

The aim of the program is to promote injury prevention through reality education, enabling youth to recognise risks and make informed choices about activities and behaviours.

The program incorporates a tour around the hospital, following the trauma patient’s journey.

A series of presentations is provided by clinicians in each area. In addition students have the opportunity for role-play activities to experience some of the difficulties injury survivors face. The day concludes with an interactive discussion with an injury survivor from the Paraplegic Benefit Fund (PBF).

The RPH P.A.R.T.Y. Program is restricted to groups of no more than 30. If fully booked, your school may go on a waiting list. Outreach programs are also available for those schools unable to attend the full day program.

Free bus parking is available onsite on request.

Please contact P.A.R.T.Y Program Co-ordinator on RPH.Party@health.wa.gov.au  or 9224 1429 to discuss options if you would like to attend a program. Registrations commence each August for the following year.

 
Information for Parents

The aim of the P.A.R.T.Y. Program is to reduce traumatic injury in youth as a result of poor choices and risk taking behaviour. Whilst participating in the program your child will be supervised by school and RPH staff.

A vital part of the program is evaluation via a confidential questionnaire. This evaluation assists in determining whether or not the program is meeting its aims and objectives.

If you choose to allow your child to participate, they will be asked to:

• Complete a questionnaire pre-program to establish a baseline of knowledge and attitudes around risk taking behaviour;
• Complete a questionnaire post-program to assess for changes in knowledge and attitudes resulting from participation in the program; and
• Complete a questionnaire 3 to 5 months after participating in the program.

Occasionally we have requests from media agencies to highlight the P.A.R.T.Y. Program. This may involve photography or written and verbal quotes from students, which may also be used in promotional material including social media and websites. You can opt out of the media involvement.

 
Information for Students

The P.A.R.T.Y. Program aims to reduce the number of young people who suffer traumatic injury because of poor choices with regards to taking risks. We would like to help you to recognise risk and make informed choices about your activities and behaviours.

As part of the P.A.R.T.Y. Program you will spend a full day following what happens to an injury survivor at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) from the people who care for them, paramedics, doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who will describe the painful journey of a trauma patient.

You will learn about head and spinal injuries and be given hands-on experience and role-playing opportunities with equipment used in trauma care and rehabilitation.

At the end of the day, you will participate in an interactive presentation by an injury survivor, who will talk about the choices and events that led to their injury and how their lives have been impacted. You will also be given an opportunity to ask questions and learn first-hand what life is really like for them.

As a participant in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program we would like to invite you to participate in a confidential evaluation of the program. Each questionnaire will take approximately 5 – 10 minutes to complete and is about risk-taking behaviour.

You are encouraged to your parent or guardian about the P.A.R.T.Y. Program and the evaluation.

If you both agree that you can participate in the evaluation, you will be asked to:

• complete a questionnaire when you arrive at the hospital;
• complete a questionnaire at the end of the day; and
• complete a questionnaire approximately 3 to 5 months after you have participated in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program. This will be given to you by your teacher, and you will be asked to complete it and return to your teacher.

You will be asked the same questions in each questionnaire. We would like to see what you think about risk-taking behaviour before you participate in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program; what you think after you have completed the program; and whether you still think the same a few months after you have attending the program. Only the staff associated with the P.A.R.T.Y. Program will have access to information and all answers will remain completely confidential.

The questionnaires you complete will not have your name on them. A number will be allocated to you, and this will be used on all your questionnaires.

 
Outreach Program

For schools unable to attend the P.A.R.T.Y. Program at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) or SJOG Midland, we also offer an Outreach program. The Outreach program is based on the licensed P.A.R.T.Y. Program and is presented by an experienced Trauma Nurse from RPH. Outreach is aimed at 14+ in Year 10, 11 and 12.

We recommend any student who has been affected by a recent or significant trauma should not attend the P.A.R.T.Y Program. For best student engagement, class-sized groups are ideal. Outreach also has the capacity to reach large audiences however; a maximum of 60 students is more beneficial.

The audio visual presentation explores risks, choices and consequences associated with alcohol, drugs and risk taking behaviour. Some of the presentation can be quite graphic, teacher supervision or access to a Counsellor / Chaplain is recommended. The students are also required to complete a pre & post questionnaire. This is so we can assess the program to know that it is successful and make the necessary changes from their comments. Outreach lasts 60-90 minutes depending on your available time. For further information please contact the Coordinator at RPH.Party@health.wa.gov.au or phone 9224 1429 to discuss availability, dates, times and on-site requirements.

The Outreach message can be complemented by a presentation from an Injury Survivor who has experienced spinal cord injury (Paraplegic Benefit Fund (external link) or Synapse (external link)).

Fees may apply for this very worthwhile investment. Consider wheelchair access if necessary.