General News
8 October, 2024
Access to paediatric care tough
Families are suffering in the Wimmera because of distance when trying to access paediatric care.
Dr Franklin Butuyuyu, a general practitioner based in Warracknabeal, said in rural Victoria families were faced with a tyranny of distance.
"Without access to paediatric care, the divide just continues", Dr Butuyuyu said. "The problem is real - families are suffering."
Dr Butuyuyu said the initiative By Five's Years on End... The Tyranny of Distance helped him to hone his diagnostic skills, management and understanding of children with complex behavioural issues and to support them in their development and growth.
By Five and the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne, have joined forces with Wimmera families and professionals to address the growing disparity in child health outcomes at school entry for rural children.
A documentary made by True South Film highlights the award-winning partnership and incredible outcomes achieved to date through the work.
More than 400 children and families have accessed paediatric care with the support of their local health providers and within their own towns.
Parents throughout the Wimmera have praised the support network on the ground and By Five in building the capability and confidence of the local "village" of maternal and child health nurses, allied health practitioners, social care and education professionals, and general practitioners to support them with their children.
The RCH is much more than just a service partner, with its paediatricians regularly visiting the Wimmera, meeting families and professionals and getting to know the region.
The initiative was kickstarted by data highlighting that up to one in every two children in the Wimmera was arriving at school developmentally vulnerable - well above the national and state average of one in five.
Pre-school field officer Peta Bond said accessing the paediatric service ensured their children were receiving the care equal to every other child in the state.
"We deserve that, our families deserve that," Ms Bond said.
For details visit the By Five website: byfive.com.au