“The Healthy Kids Bus Stop visit brought together a range of health service providers from across the region. Welcoming the bus to Deniliquin ensured our local children were able to access this important health screening program which can have a huge impact on their future health and education outcomes.”
The Healthy Kids Bus Stop, an award winning program which delivers free child health checks to children aged 3-5 years, has celebrated a successful visit to Deniliquin.
The ‘Bus Stop’ was held from 10-12 May and was delivered by Royal Far West, in partnership with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities, Auscott Limited and hosted by Deniliquin South Public School. It delivered around 50 comprehensive child health screenings to children from the local region.
Royal Far West CEO Lindsay Cane said she wanted to thank the many partners who made the Healthy Kids Bus Stop Deniliquin possible. “We were delighted to offer these vital health checks to local children and are extremely grateful for the support of our partners. This program is a wonderful example of how true collaboration and a shared vision for the health and wellbeing of country kids, can create meaningful outcomes.”
The health assessments themselves are undertaken by a multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health staff and include a child health check, hearing screening, dental check, fine and gross motor skill development screening, language and speech development check and a food nutrition check.
Importantly, the collaborative process identifies strong pathways to care, to ensure that children are given a referral pathway to receive the ongoing support they need, with linkages and communication back into the community and service providers.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District Chief Executive Jill Ludford, said the program provides the opportunity to connect a child’s local GP, with the Child and Family Health Nurse and other local and specialist services, providing a whole picture of a child’s health and developmental needs.
“The Healthy Kids Bus Stop visit brought together a range of health service providers from across the region. Welcoming the bus to Deniliquin ensured our local children were able to access this important health screening program which can have a huge impact on their future health and education outcomes.”
The Healthy Kids Bus Stop Program is currently shortlisted to win the Aussie Farmers Rural Hero Grant of $50,000, which is open for public voting until 22 May. Votes to support future Healthy Kids Bus Stop visits can be made at: http://www.aussiefarmersfoundation.org.au/grants/