Sutherland doctor Louis Traynor is helping to make medical procedures less traumatic at Shire Famnily Medical. Picture supplied

Shire Family Medical in Sutherland is pioneering a more compassionate approach to community healthcare with the launch of the BRAVE Clinic, an innovative service dedicated to transforming paediatric blood collection through trauma-informed care and specialised support.

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Standing for Behavioural Response to Anxiety in Venepuncture and Examinations, the clinic is led by Dr Traynor, a specialist emergency doctor with dual training in adult and paediatric emergency medicine. Drawing on his extensive experience at Sydney's major hospitals and his own perspective as a father of four, Dr Louis Traynor and his team are addressing a procedural gap for patients who find standard medical environments overwhelming.

The service is specifically designed for young children, patients with neurodivergence or intellectual disabilities, and those with severe needle phobias. Unlike a standard walk-in blood collection service, BRAVE functions as a screened and planned environment intended to replace the typical model with one that prioritises psychological safety.

"I have seen the effects of what can go wrong when a child is subjected to a procedure that is not very trauma informed," Dr Traynor said. "It just makes it very difficult for the next healthcare worker. They associate that pain with everything to do with health. Children who had very traumatic medical experiences don't go for regular check-ups."

To address these challenges, the clinic integrates evidence-based paediatric psychology with modern procedural tools. Techniques include the use of immersive VR distraction, iPads, and topical anaesthesia to minimise distress.

The Sutherland clinic uses virtual reality to help children overcome a fear of needles. Picture supplied

For patients known to have difficult veins, Dr Traynor and his staff utilise hand-held ultrasound technology to improve the likelihood of a successful first attempt. "We can turn what was a terrible experience into a positive one," Dr Traynor said. To reduce the anxiety of the unknown, he often consults with parents beforehand. "I give them a script to say to their child... It gets rid of surprise. Children don't like surprises at the doctors and that's what we're trying to avoid. I ask them to bring a teddy bear, and put a tourniquet on them."

The development of the clinic comes in response to the long-term impact of adverse medical experiences. Research indicates that pain or a loss of control during childhood procedures can lead to lifelong needle phobia and healthcare avoidance. By focusing on familiarity and patient agency, the clinic aims to break these cycles and reduce the need for more invasive escalations later in life.

The clinic operates one day a week, with fees structured to cover the additional time and specialised equipment involved. Costs start at $29 for a standard patient, while cases requiring advanced ultrasound guidance are $79.