Clients at Your Community Health know that we take a person-centred approach to their care and development. But as well as addressing the needs of our individual clients, we also pride ourselves in responding to the need in our community.
That is why I am delighted to open a new and much needed development and behaviour clinic for children at our PANCH (Preston) Health Centre.
All children have the right to good health and wellbeing that allows them to thrive in their social and school life. Children with behavioural or developmental problems require intervention and support so they can become the best they can be. Many children in the Darebin community live with developmental, behavioural, social and emotional problems that affect their everyday life at home or at school. This includes children living with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety and depression, learning difficulties, and a range of other conditions.
They and their families have received little local support and until now they would have to go to hospital to get help. Many of the families that have visited our health centres have experienced high levels of stress as they seek support with managing their child’s issues.
So what is different about our clinic?
Our clinic gives families, especially low income ones, the option of seeing a specialist in the community. This means they will see someone quicker and at no cost.
It also means that our staff can take the time to get to know the child, their family and their community, to provide the help that they genuinely need.
Our expert paediatric doctors have exceptional experience in this field. They evaluate children’s conditions, provide support and treatment. They work with the child and their families to make sure they get what they need. They also work closely with a range of other child health specialists, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and counsellors. Which means we can provide well rounded health and wellbeing support.
Our clinic provides support to all children up to the age of 12 with significant developmental or behavioural problems.
If you would like to refer a child to our clinic, you will need a referral from a doctor. Referrals can be faxed to (03) 8458 6710, we will then contact the child’s family directly to make an appointment. If you do not yet have a referral, call us to make an appointment with one of our bulk-billing doctors.