Our Maternal and Child Health service is continuing to provide support services whilst experiencing significant challenges from low availability of Maternal and Child Health nurses, an issue being experienced in areas across Victoria, along with the high local birth rate and COVID-19.
Given these challenges and the City of Melton’s current workforce capacity, the service will continue to prioritise children from 0-8 weeks of age. Please be assured we continue to actively recruit additional nurses and we are advocating to the State Government for incentives to attract more students into Maternal and Child Health and nursing fields.
It should be noted that in addition to children 0-8 weeks of age, Council will also provide Maternal and Child Health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, vulnerable children and families, as well as children and families with additional needs or concerns including families enrolled in the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Program and those with COVID-19.
Council remains committed to increasing the capacity of the Maternal and Child Health service and we will keep you up to date as any changes occur and capacity increases.
To help us assess your child’s needs at this time we advise all families, especially those with concerns regarding their child’s learning, development or behaviour, to please complete the Parents Evaluation Developmental Status (PEDS) in your green book and email a photo of it to mchtoddlersupport@melton.vic.gov.au. This email is monitored by our Maternal and Child Health nurses.
Free parent groups
To help support all families of young children in the City of Melton, I am pleased to inform we are expanding our Parent Education Program. These free programs are delivered by Parenting Group Educators and provide the educational component that parents would usually receive at their Key Age and Stage visit. It is also an opportunity for parents to ask questions, hear from other parents as well as get information and support. After positive feedback, we are offering more Parent Education groups in 2023 across more locations. View available sessions and book in.
Support measures available
Several parent education support measures are available during this time to help support you and help you understand your child’s health and development:
- Breastfeeding support
- Resources for babies and toddlers
- Call the Victorian Maternal & Child Health Line, staffed 24 hours by qualified nurses, on 13 22 29
- Consult your family GP
- Visit a SuperCare pharmacy which provides 24-hour access to healthcare advice and pharmacy services, including a free, on-site nursing service from 6-10pm
- Contact an optometrist for vision testing
- You can download the free maternal and child health app. It provides reliable information matched to the age of your child that you can use every day.
- You can also download the free My Baby Now app for the latest information about feeding and active play for your baby.
If you have questions about this service change, please email mchtoddlersupport@melton.vic.gov.au
Families have been be sent a letter with this update(PDF, 157KB).