Children’s health Archives | Page 11 of 11

14 October 2021

Early assessment and support for mental illness is particularly important for children and young people to prevent negative long-term impacts. Many infants and children visit their GP frequently and these consultations present the ideal opportunity for early intervention. Stronger Seeds Taller Trees logo final_210705

However, most doctors are pressed for time and some may lack confidence in identifying and addressing mental health concerns, especially in infants and toddlers. Supporting children’s mental health doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming. Many of the skills GPs use every day can be applied to support children’s mental health.

Australia’s Emerging Minds provides an evidence-informed guide created specifically for GPs. This article includes links to brief videoclips, podcasts and e-learning courses on conducting child mental health assessments.

Early intervention and referral by GPs can prevent progression of a mental health condition, contributing importantly to children’s future wellbeing.

Southwest Sydney Paediatric Clinics

21 September 2021

One in in five children in South Western Sydney are at risk of poor language outcomes. A child’s vocabulary and language skills at age three predict their later academic, mental health, socio-emotional wellbeing and employment outcomes.

Children’s language skills consist of their ability to understand and use language effectively across different environments. In addition to the Blue Book, you can use this communication screening checklist to assist in identifying when a child may be experiencing delays in their communication skills.

Communication screening checklist

Early intervention is key to enhancing children’s outcomes in later life. If there are communication concerns for a child, at any age, refer to speech pathology services.

SP Services Directory

The longer we wait to refer children, the more limited their access to time-critical supports becomes. Children who receive the right treatment, at the right time, in the right way will have better outcomes.

This article was written by members of the ‘Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees’ project which includes professionals from a number of government and non-government organisations in South Western Sydney. The group aims to support GPs working with families to navigate and access timely services when they have a concern about a child’s development.

12 August 2021

When parents and carers have concerns about their child’s development, their GP may connect them to a range of mainstream services and refer them to an Early Childhood Partner.

The Early Childhood Approach supports children 0 to 6 with developmental delay or disability. Qualified professionals build the skills and knowledge of families and other people in the child’s life to support them to learn new skills, participate in everyday activities and be included in mainstream environments.

When children need longer term supports, the partner will support families to access the NDIS.

Children with developmental delays or concerns do not need a diagnosis to be referred to the Early Childhood Approach.

EACH is the Early Childhood Partner in South West Sydney.

Find your local Early Childhood Partner

Information for GPs

The Early Childhood Approach Guidelines

Best Practice in Early Intervention Parent Handout

EACH Phone referrals: 1300 003 224

EACH Referral Form

Send referral form to: PITC.EACH.ENQUIRIES@ndis.gov.au

22 July 2021

The first three years of life are critical for a child’s brain development. Early intervention is linked with positive changes in functional gains for children and can positively impact all aspects of development and functioning including mental health, physical, social and cognitive development.

To achieve the best results from early intervention we need early identification of developmental concerns and referral to appropriate services. It is recommended to refer at the time of identification to ensure access to supports within the first three years of life or as early as possible.

Where and how to refer

Waitlists vary between services. It is important to refer early to account for potential waitlist times. Please consider referring to both private (using Medicare rebate options) and community health services to ensure families are offered supports in the timeliest manner.

16 February 2021

Butterfly’s Youth Program, a skills-based group therapy treatment program for young people aged 18 to 25, is open for referrals. The program is based on Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E) and Butterfly’s clinicians are trained to work with young people living with body image issues and eating disorders. The program is currently delivered via Zoom and is open to anyone aged 18 and 25 years, anywhere in Australia.

In a safe, supportive and recovery-focused environment, trained clinicians will aim to help patients:

Develop skills to manage stress and emotions
Manage relationships
Increase mindfulness
Learn self-compassion
Improve body image
Reduce symptoms of their eating disorder
Build a healthier relationship with food

The program runs for two hours a week for 12 weeks and can supplement treatments participants may be already receiving.

Next daytime program starts: 5 April 2021
Next evening program starts: 22 March 2021

To find out more

19 October 2020

NSW Health has requested the below message and attached protocol be shared with GPs:

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some four-year-old children are at risk of missing out on the crucial monocular visual acuity test prior to the start of school that has typically been provided by the NSW Health StEPS Program at preschools and childcare centres. The intent of the StEPS program is to detect vision problems at an age when reliable vision screening can be achieved and treatment for childhood ocular conditions is more effective than when they are older. There is a current media campaign encouraging parents to book their child in for a screen before they start school.

The GP leads of NSW Health’s Primary Care Community of Practice are in agreement that GPs and practice nurses are well placed to encourage parents to book their child in for a screen, refer children to their local StEPS Co-ordinator for more information on where to access screening, or to directly provide vision screening for four-year-old old children who have not been able to access the StEPS Program this year.

Please see:

• www.health.nsw.gov.au/StEPS for contact details of your local StEPS Coordinators to enable referrals to catch-up StEPS clinics

• The clinical protocol for four-year-old vision screening should you need further guidance on the screening process.

If you need more information about the StEPS Program, please contact your local StEPS Co-ordinator. If you would like to speak to the Ministry of Health about this approach, please contact Caroline Holmes, Principal Program Officer, Health and Social Policy at Caroline.Holmes@health.nsw.gov.au or on 9391 9961.

14 August 2020

The Wollondilly Health Alliance has challenged local schools to adopt a healthy canteen menu.

We all know children are influenced by what they see around them, including what food is on offer, what they see their friends, family and other role models eat, and how food is advertised.

A healthy school canteen is one way to create a healthy food environment and the NSW Education Department’s Healthy School Canteen Strategy aims to make healthy choices easy for students.

The Wollondilly Health Alliance, a partnership between Wollondilly Shire Council, South Western Sydney Local Health District and South Western Sydney Primary Health Network, has been supporting local schools by offering prizes for those taking on the healthy school canteen challenge.

So far, 12 of the 14 public primary schools in Wollondilly have put in a fantastic effort and are now offering a range of healthy food and drinks to their students.

The canteen strategy has four key components: asking schools to fill 75 per cent of their menu with “everyday foods”; selling healthy drinks and no sugar-sweetened beverages; ensuring packaged foods meet portion limits and have a health star rating of 3.5+; and ensuring only healthier options are promoted to students.

Wollondilly Mayor Matthew Deeth said it was great to see the Wollondilly Health Alliance encouraging and supporting schools to provide healthy eating options for our kids.

“As a dad I certainly know how hard it can be to get your kids to eat healthy,” he said. “There are so many pressures and temptations on them to do otherwise, so having the right choices in our canteens is really important.”

Through this initiative almost 2,700 students across the Wollondilly Shire now have access to healthy food in their school canteen.

All Education Department schools were required to adopt the strategy by December 2019, with all school sectors (including Catholic and Independent schools) encouraged to adopt the guidelines.

04 February 2020

GPs are being advised of changes to our STAR4Kids Program which provides free psychological therapies to children. Since the program began in July 2017, 1866 children across the region have been supported through the program.

As part of a regular review, eligibility for the program has been refined to children who experience barriers to accessing the Better Access to psychiatrists, psychologists and general practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative through Medicare. When referring children for psychological therapies, please first consider the Better Access Initiative.

Please find attached a letter with more information.

04 February 2020

Emerging Minds and RACGP Specific Interests are holding a webinar series focused on providing GPs with the knowledge and skills required during a child mental health assessment.

The webinars will be facilitated by Dr James Best, Chair RACGP Specific Interests Child and Young Person’s Health, and will include GPs and specialists working in the area of child mental health.

The webinars are free to RACGP members and available to non-members for $95. Non-members should contact RACGP Specific Interests Events to register.

The first webinar will be held on Thursday, 27 February at 7pm. To register.