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Sara McDonnell • April 28, 2021

Paediatric Health Care is Coming to Edenhope

In 2018 and 2019, consultation highlighted concerns from families, educators and health workers about timely specialist support for children with behavioural and developmental issues. 


Throughout 2020, a partnership between By Five [Strengthening Care for Children], Royal Children’s Hospital and Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) Maternal and Child Health services delivered specialist paediatric care via skills and relationships that already existed within the WSM primary health sector. 

Local, high quality primary health care services provided by a well-trained and well-supported workforce is the best way to ensure population health.   Australian children living in regional and rural areas are more likely than urban children to see a maternal and child health nurse (MCH) but less likely to see a General Practitioner (GP).   Rural children are more likely to attend hospital clinics; but less likely to benefit from specialist public paediatric care.

The Integrated Primary Health Paediatric Telehealth Trial

From 2021 to 2023, the trial will build from this foundation, as well as the evidence provided by the UK Connecting Care for Children program and the Northwest Melbourne Strengthening Primary Care pilot, both of which brought specialist paediatricians into GP consulting rooms, combining co-consultation with professional development and support. 

The clinical benefits delivered to children, families and providers have seen both projects replicated across larger urban areas. In the Wimmera Southern Mallee, the aim is to adapt the approach for rural and regional primary health care settings based on co-design, partnerships and telehealth-practice facilitating improved access to high quality Paediatric care close to home. 

In the Wimmera Southern Mallee, the aim is to adapt the approach for rural and regional primary health care settings based on co-design, partnerships and telehealth-practice facilitating improved access to high quality Paediatric care close to home.

We are looking forward to having Dr Billy Garvey and Dr Claire Nogic from the Royal Children’s Hospital Paediatric Centre attending clinics here in Edenhope in the very near future.

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