Maternal & Child Health
Free support and assistance
Northern Grampians Shire offers a Maternal and Child Health service across the Shire. Maternal and Child Health is a free service available to families with young children from birth to school entry age, offering parenting support, child safety information, general information, health promotion, early identification and intervention for child health concerns.
Consultations are carried out by Registered Nurses with qualifications in Midwifery and Maternal and Child Health.
Maternal and Child Health Nurses within the Northern Grampians Shire practice with the Key Ages and Stages (KAS) framework. The KAS framework provided to families and children ensures a research based practice through evidence based activities with an emphasis on health promotion. Visits to your Maternal and Child Health nurse focus on a range of domains for both maternal, child and family health and well being. Maternal and Child Health nurses are able to refer families into local networks/organisations for specialist assistance if required. Such organisations include speech therapy, dietetics, physiotherapy, postnatal depression support and counselling services. These can include Wimmera Uniting Care, Family Support Services and Grampians Community Health.
Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) is used as a primary tool for parents to discuss the development of their child. Parents receive information packs at each key visit. Additional consultations are encouraged for families on an individual needs basis.
The Maternal and Child Health Services are located in Stawell and St Arnaud. An outreach service is also provided to Glenorchy, Marnoo, Great Western and Halls Gap. Consultations are via appointment.
In monitoring/assisting children and their families to achieve optimal growth and development, Maternal and Child Health nurses offer a home visiting service, new mothers' group sessions, parenting programs for pre-schoolers, visual screening test, parental support, child safety information and nutritional advice (in collaboration with dietitician support).
Location of centres and contact details as follows:
Stawell Maternal & Child Health
Ph: (03) 5358 9060
Address: Taylors Gully Children's Centre, 87 D'Arcy St, Stawell VIC 3380
St. Arnaud Maternal & Child Health
Ph: (03) 5495 2666
Address: 3 - 7 Walker St, St. Arnaud, Vic 3478
Please call for an appointment.