A new paediatric service has launched at Kilmore District Hospital this month, following Northern Health’s commitment to providing better connected care for the community.

The new service provides support to young children who experience developmental and behavioural issues including speech delay, concerns of autism, concerns of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, ADHD, and significant levels of anxiety, particularly post-COVID.

Many of these children are eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme, NDIS, funding, and the Kilmore team is focused on recognising and treating concerns before they start school and connecting them with the appropriate services early.

The clinic operates four days week, staffed by two community fellows and a paediatric consultant, supported by onsite nursing and administrative support.

The clinicians also provide outreach clinics to local maternal child health nursing and community health centres, where clinics accept referrals, not only general practitioners, but also maternal child health nurses and school nurses.

Dr David Tran said it was a new exciting service in a region where there is a huge need.

“By servicing the Mitchell Shire region and in particular Kilmore itself, we wanted to focus on some of the most vulnerable families and young children who, at the moment, are facing long wait times to be seen,” he said.

“Hopefully this will streamline services and enable some of these patients to get the care that they need faster, and closer to home.”

Dr Daniel Tsen said he was keen to positively impact in the community.

“It is fantastic that paediatric services are more accessible for community in Mitchell Shire region. This allows us to deliver better paediatric care by working closely with families locally,” he said.

“Through clinics at Kilmore District Hospital and community outreach centres, paediatric community fellows will also gain invaluable experiences in community medicine, consolidating their professional development as future paediatricians.”

Cooper was the first patient to access this new service on February 13.

Cooper’s mum, Jordy, is looking forward to watching him progress under the care of the paediatric team at Kilmore District Hospital.

“It’s really good that we now have local access to these health services, not only for ourselves, but also for our children, and not have to travel far away, or be on a massive waitlist,” Jordy said.

Families wishing to access this service are encouraged to speak to their local GP, maternal child health nurse or school nurse who can send referrals via HealthLink or faxed to 03 8405 8616.