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Community being consulted on Maternal and Child Health Service

Three parent representatives sought by Latrobe City Council to assist review of municipality’s Maternal and Child Health Service.

By Latrobe City Council - 4th April 2001 - Back to News

Three parent representatives with an interest in Maternal and Child Health issues are being sought by Latrobe City Council to assist in a review of the municipality’s Maternal and Child Health Service.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said that the review was part of the community consultation process, ensuring that the services Council provides were meeting the needs of the community on a day to day basis.

“There have been enormous changes in the nature and needs of communities throughout the municipality, particularly in rural areas, and Council wants to ensure it is providing maternal and child health services that reflect those changing needs, Cr Jenkins said.

“Council’s Maternal and Child Health Service operates out of fifteen Centres throughout the municipality. Our present service offers a range of contact options. There are drop in sessions, appointment times, home visits and telephone consultations.

“While one on one consultation is the most common method of contact, group sessions for first time mothers are offered through each Centre, and Latrobe City provides some sessions according to the demand, such as in behavioural management and first aid ,” Cr Jenkins said.

“Economic and employment circumstances, and a reduction in some government and commercial services mean that many families are experiencing new levels of hardship. This directly impacts on the way citizens use services, especially free services like ours,” Cr Jenkins explained.

“Historically, families have expected advice on their children’s growth and development when attending the Centre. In recent years however, there has been an increasing demand for advice on family functioning and health, parenting, emotional and physical wellbeing.

“More than at any time in the past our staff now need to have a good knowledge of services in the area and a broad knowledge of many areas such as financial counselling, relationships, legal difficulties, child protection, domestic violence and gambling. This necessitates not only more training for staff but also a different approach to service delivery,” Cr Jenkins said.

Council’s continuing aim is to deliver a quality professional primary health care service guided by Maternal and Child Health practice guidelines, and as such is reviewing the quality of service currently being delivered, to ensure it meets changing needs,” Cr Jenkins concluded.

To register an interest in being a parent representative reviewing the Maternal and Child Health Service, please telephone Allison Condon or Melanie Briggs at Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700. Registrations of interest close 5pm Thursday 12 April 2001.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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