FIFTY years ago, there was no such thing as unlimited visiting hours to hospital children's wards, parents weren't allowed to stay with their sick children, and no toys were permitted.
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Thanks to a staunch group of individuals, including former Bathurst local Sylvia Rapley-Anderson, changes to hospital legislation were made.
Now, Ms Rapley-Anderson has written a book detailing her experiences, helping to form the Association for the Welfare of Children (AWCH).
On June 12, she will be presenting a talk based on her book, Where Angels Fear to Tread, to audiences at the Bathurst City Library.
For Ms Rapley-Anderson, the story began in the early 1970s.
It was a time when social change was at the forefront, but not enough seemed to be changing in hospital systems.
"I experienced that personally because my daughter was diagnosed with a brain condition when she was born," Ms Rapley-Anderson said.
"I found that the way in which the hospital treated my daughter, and our family at that stage, left a lot to be desired."
Her daughter was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, a condition caused by an accumulation of fluid on the brain.
Despite years in and out of the hospital system, doctors refused Ms Rapley-Anderson any information regarding her daughter's diagnosis.
"I just thought 'that's not good enough,'" she said.
Then, opportunity struck.
Ms Rapley-Anderson saw an advertisement in Women's Weekly, calling for readers to write in, detailing their experiences of having children in the hospital.
With a mass of responses, a meeting was struck.
The beginning of AWCH
A small group of people who were highly concerned for the psychological care of children and their families came together and formed AWCH.
Ms Rapley-Anderson was one of the founding members.
Quite quickly, AWCH began to influence how children and their families were treated in hospitals.
Within five years, this association expanded to become a National Organisation and was fundamental in changing hospital policy.
"That policy really was the cornerstone of all the changes that occurred in hospitals," Ms Rapley-Anderson said.
Now, the organisation still exists with a much broader focus.
"In those days, what we were concerned about was maintaining contact between the child and, particularly, their mother," Ms Rapley-Anderson said
"The first four to five years of establishing the organisation were instrumental; writing the policies, mounting various different campaigns for play, travel and accommodation systems, developing policy for migrant children and the effects of hospitalisation.
"We had child psychologists, pediatricians, nurses, GPs, play therapists, physiotherapists, teachers, and lots and lots of parents."
With a focus on children and parents, the group was able to make real, tangible change.
For Ms Rapley-Anderson, these changes became significantly apparent when she entered the hospital system years later with another child.
Level of changes
"Funnily enough, my eldest daughter had to go into hospital for a very, very serious accident she had when she was about nine," she said.
"The change that I witnessed then was just amazing. I was able to stay with her for as long as I needed to, and I was able to be a part of all the types of treatment that she had.
"The wards had started to change, the play programs were introduced, and training in nursing had started to change.
"That policy, that only four people wrote, certainly was the cornerstone of all the changes."
Because of the momentous efforts of AWCH, Ms Rapley-Anderson and about of the other founding members decided there was a need to document their story.
Where Angels Fear to Tread
Thus, at 80 years old, she wrote the book, Where Angels Fear to Tread.
"I think it's a wonderful thing that people can read about how a small group of people with almost no resources ... used the media, seminars that we ran, and how we started with nothing but lots of ideas and opinions, and ended up with something unique," she said.
"It's a good story to have lived through, and I'm hoping that people will find it interesting."
Ms Rapley-Anderson said that anybody interested in hearing more of her story is encouraged to contact the Bathurst City Library to book a spot at the author talk.
The talk will kick off at 6pm on Thursday, June 12.
