Media Release: 14 August 2009

Extend “healthy kids” checks to child and maternal health

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.

 

Media Contacts
Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Lee Thomas, Assistant Federal Secretary, 0419 576 590

 

The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.