Extend "Healthy Kids" Checks To Child And Maternal Health, Australia

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 18 Aug 2009 - 14:00 PDT

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The Federal Government's "healthy kids" checks should be carried out by nurses at Child and Maternal Health centres, following reports that the program is currently failing targets.

Australian Nursing Federation Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said restricting the checks to general practice may be one of the reasons the program has not been taken up more widely.

"We know that general practice is already under enormous strain. If the funding for "healthy kids" checks were extended to Maternal and Child Health centres more children would undoubtedly benefit from the program," Ms Kearney said.

"Midwives and nurses form trusting relationships and continuity of care from birth to school age through these local centres and parents would feel more comfortable visiting nurses and midwives with their children."

The ANF applauds the federal government's efforts to improve the health of Australian children through the program and will urge the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, to consider providing some of the unspent funds for the last financial year to Maternal and Child Health centres.

Source
Australia Nursing Federation

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