Dr Kathy McMahon, Clinical Director of Paediatrics, Peninsula Health.
A health program which is making a positive impact on disadvantaged Frankston North children will now be expanded to Rosebud and Hastings following a successful bid for major funding.
Peninsula Health’s Clinical Director of Paediatrics, Dr Kathy McMahon has secured $416,000 from the Menzies Caring for Kids organisation to support the appointment of a Paediatric Fellow for three years.
As with the Frankston North program – the Rosebud/Hastings Paediatric Fellow and a Paediatrician will work at local primary schools and kindergartens – addressing the critical issue of accessibility for such services. The services at Frankston North have transformed the way in which students and parents have been able to access such services.
“We run paediatric developmental clinics at Frankston Hospital but many of these children would not attend due to family issues and social disadvantage,” says Dr McMahon.
“In the past developmental behaviour issues have been undiagnosed and left untreated.
“The beauty of having the services on site at the school is that the doctors have better access to the families and parents as well as the children and their teachers and any allied health professionals involved at the school.
“Issues within the family environment – substance abuse, domestic violence, unemployment, previous trauma – can really impact on the health of a child, especially with language acquisition and academic achievement.”
A report released last year, Dropping off the Edge found that Frankston North, Rosebud West and Hastings figured prominently as disadvantaged suburbs with high rates of unemployment, criminal convictions, disability, low education, child maltreatment, family violence and psychiatric admissions.
“Children not being properly cared for is a troubling symptom and consequence of a range of other factors,” said Dr McMahon.
“If we had a GP in the school, the GP would have to refer a student to paediatric services elsewhere for expert paediatric assessment and management and many parents and carers have difficulties accessing these – but our unique paediatrics program brings the Paediatrician to the local community.”
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