The award-winning developmental screening program Healthy Kids Bus Stop is coming to Inverell in March with the aim to improve the health and wellbeing of children aged 3-5.
Royal Far West, in partnership with the Hunter New England Health District and Ronald McDonald House Charities, will be delivering free child health checks in Inverell on Tuesday 19 March, Ashford on Wednesday 20 March and Tingha on Thursday 21 March. Royal Far West staff will be in Inverell throughout the week.
Identifying children’s developmental issues before they start school is critical to their life trajectory, and this program will help identify children who will benefit from extra support and early intervention to maximise their opportunities at school.
The program is designed to be fun and interactive, with children progressing through bus stops or ‘health stations’, hopping on and off at each station in order to complete their health assessment. Between health stations, children are engaged in play while parents and carers are given the opportunity to consult further with the multidisciplinary team of health professionals, and may also collect health promotion materials.
A general Child Health Check is also included, which assesses a child’s immunisation status and developmental milestones.
John Reid, who leads Community Programs at Royal Far West, says, “The comprehensive health stations include screening and assessment for oral health, vision, hearing, food and nutrition, language and speech development, and fine and gross motor skill development.”
Healthy Kids Bus Stop locations: Community Health, Inverell, 19 March; Ashford Central School, 20 March; and Tingha Public School, 21 March.
Children requiring further assessment will be referred to appropriate local services, and those with complex needs may also be referred to Royal Far West’s Paediatric Developmental Program.
Children must to be registered to attend the Bus Stop.
Learn more about the Healthy Kids Bus Stop visits and how to attend or by call 02 8966 8557 for more information.
To help support children in rural and remote areas of Australia, please call 1800 500 061 or go to our website.
Pics:
Assessment at the Healthy Kids Bus Stop
A happy client of the Healthy Kids Bus Stop
Hearing test at the Healthy Kids Bus Stop
