Children’s health Archives | Page 6 of 12

30 April 2024

Your patients can now access a new program which supports people who have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence to connect with services to assist with their long-term recovery.

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney began service delivery of the key mental health component of the SWSPHN-funded Supporting Recovery from Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Program in April.

The program officially launched at the Casula Powerhouse in Liverpool on 1 May.

Services are initially being delivered from hubs based in the Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield communities due to higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence in those local government areas (LGAs).

However, services may be expanded across Bankstown, Camden, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs based on need and demand.

The Supporting Recovery program includes access to:

a Local Care Team to help clients coordinate and manage their recovery journey, including connecting clients with a range of other services such as legal, financial and housing supports
trained psychologists, social workers and counsellors who specialise in providing trauma-informed and client-centred mental healthcare
holistic, culturally appropriate mental health services which are available at no cost for a period up to two years

Your patients do not need a doctor’s referral. They can access the service by calling 1300 316 554 or going online and completing a self-referral.

Find out more

23 April 2024

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 (formerly the Early Childhood Early Intervention – ECEI) service helps families with children up to eight years with assistance, advice and access to support in the local community.

If a child has a disability or if there are concerns with their development, families may be eligible to receive support from the NDIS through the Early Childhood Approach. Children up to six years with developmental delays or concerns do not need a diagnosis to be referred.

EACH is the Early Childhood Partner in South Western Sydney.

Find your local Early Childhood Partner

Information for GPs

Early Childhood Approach Guidelines

EACH phone referrals: 1300 003 224

EACH referral form

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

These articles are 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.

25 March 2024

Play supports all areas of children’s development – physical, social, emotional, cognitive, literacy and numeracy.

Play has long been described as ‘children’s work’ and most children play instinctively.

Early childhood education and care services use play-based programs which are developmentally-appropriate activities which make learning fun through play.

This approach is a key first step in supporting children to be ready for formal classroom learning at school.

Parents can use play-based learning to support children by:

talking with their child throughout the day
singing songs
telling and reading stories
enrolling them in quality early childhood education and care services

The Australian Early Development Census measures children’s development across a range of domains upon their entry into Kindergarten.

The most recent data in 2021 showed high rates of children in South Western Sydney were vulnerable in more than one domain of development when starting Kindergarten.

Play is powerful in supporting these children in having the best possible start to school.

Useful links:

Find a children’s service:

StartingBlocks.gov.au

Importance of play to children’s learning and development:

StartingBlocks.gov.au/resources

RaisingChildren.net.au/play-learning

Find out about the Australian Early Development Census:

AEDC.gov.au

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.

22 February 2024

The Wests Tigers Foundation Beyond the 80 (BT80) program is a free 10-week healthy lifestyle initiative supported by SWSPHN and developed by the Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club and Western Sydney University.

The BT80 program is a community-driven initiative focused on promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among young girls aged seven to 11 and their families in Western Sydney. The program’s ultimate goal is to create a supportive and empowering environment which fosters positive health outcomes and builds a stronger and healthier community.

Wests Tigers Community Team Lead Kenneth Tuala said: “Together, we aim to inspire young females and their families, fostering healthy lifestyles through engaging workshops”.

BT80 offers specialised training and activities which aim to strengthen rugby league skills while promoting healthy lifestyle habits.

“It’s more than just rugby league; it’s about building a healthier, stronger community extending well beyond the 80 minutes on the field,” Tuala said.

The BT80 program will commence with an orientation day on Monday, 9 March, where family measurements will be taken. The program’s activities and training will then begin on 20 March and run for 10 weeks every Wednesday from 6pm to 7.30pm at Western Sydney University’s Campbelltown Campus.

To register for BT80, you must:

have at least one daughter aged seven to 11 willing to participate in BT80
at least one parent willing to participate in BT80
reside in Western Sydney

Spaces are limited; register your interest

Find out more on the Wests Tigers website

21 February 2024

The COVID-19 lockdowns have resulted in a cohort of children whose development is delayed.

Young children have had limited access to social interactions and early learning environments during the critical period of their brain development, which has both created and compounded existing developmental delays.

Due to this, the need for early intervention is the highest it’s ever been.

The importance of early intervention

Early intervention is linked with positive outcomes for children.

It can positively impact all aspects of development, including social, physical, communication, cognitive and psychological development.

Referrals: where and how

Early referral to intervention services is crucial in maximising outcomes.

It is more important than ever to refer early as the COVID-19 lockdowns have increased waiting times in both public and private services.

Please consider referring to both public and private services (using Medicare rebate options) so families are offered supports in the timeliest manner.

Download where and how to refer

24 January 2024

The Go4Fun healthy lifestyle program for families and children aged seven to 13 is returning with sessions across South Western Sydney in Term 1, from Monday, 29 January 2024.

Locations include:

Cabramatta Community Centre
Bankstown PCYC
Moss Vale Aquatic Centre
Eagle Vale Leisure Centre
Michael Clarke Recreation Centre
Mt Annan Leisure Centre

You can register by phoning 1800 780 900 or visiting go4fun.com.au.

What is Go4Fun?

Go4Fun is a free program for children aged seven to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Trained health and community professionals like dietitians and exercise physiologists run the program which is a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.

Go4Fun takes place during school terms, usually after school. Sessions run once a week for two hours, during a 10-week period. A parent or carer must come to every session.

Find out more about what's involved

Aboriginal Go4Fun

Aboriginal Go4Fun was developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities and is delivered by local Aboriginal organisations together with NSW Health. The program encourages the whole community to join in.

Aboriginal Go4Fun includes:

Aboriginal support staff
Traditional Indigenous games
Tailored resources

Find out more about Aboriginal Go4Fun

Go4Fun online

Go4Fun Online is perfect for families that can’t make it to our face-to-face program, but still want to make health changes to their lifestyle.

Go4Fun Online runs over 10 weeks and includes:

Weekly online activity sessions
Weekly phone coaching with a health professional
Resources and prizes
Our online community where you can chat to other families in the program
Email and text message support

Find out more about Go4Fun online

16 November 2023

Eligible patients can now apply online for the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS).

CAPS is an Australian Government program which helps people over five years old who experience permanent and severe incontinence to cover some of the costs of buying continence products.

The new online application is available through the individual’s Medicare account on myGov or in the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

Patients still have the option to use the existing CAPS application guidelines and application form, which can be downloaded or ordered from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

If someone else is applying on behalf of a patient, their representative must use the paper form.

Even if a patient applies online, they still need a registered health professional (such as a GP) to complete the health report section using the paper form.

The patient will then need to upload the report to their online application through their Medicare online account.

Please inform your eligible patients of the new online application process.

More information can be found at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/caps and the department’s website.

21 September 2023

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of Otitis Media and associated hearing loss in the world.

Otitis Media is commonly known as ‘glue ear’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Left untreated, these conditions are directly linked to serious and long-term deficits. These include poor medical health, delayed communication and social skill development, challenging behaviour and learning difficulties.

With the COVID-19 lockdowns behind us, now is the time to complete crucial checks for children including:

regular ear checks
hearing assessments
onward referrals to ENTs / audiologists

Information for families

20 September 2023

This week has been a timely reminder extreme heat can have a serious impact on people’s health.

Heatwaves and hot weather have killed more people in Australia than any other disaster.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for anyone, however it is particularly dangerous for those:

over the age of 75
babies and young children
overweight or obese
pregnant or breastfeeding
poor mobility
who are homeless
socially isolated, living alone
working in a hot environment
have a chronic illness (such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, mental illness)
have an acute illness (an infection with fever or gastroenteritis)
taking certain medications

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.

It occurs when the body temperature rises about 40.5 degrees.

Immediate first aid is critical to lowering the body temperature as soon as possible.

The effect of heat on chronic conditions

Most heat-related morbidity and mortality is due to the exacerbation of chronic conditions.

Conditions which most commonly contribute to death during a heatwave include:

cardiac events
asthma or other respiratory illness
kidney disease
diabetes
nervous system diseases
cancer

Dehydration and subsequent medication toxicity may exacerbate:

altered mental state
kidney stones
cardiovascular impairment
falls

Heat and medication

Some medications can increase the risk of heat-related illness. Some can also be less effective when exposed to high temperatures.

The following medications can be impacted by heat. (This list should be used as a guide only)

Interference with sweating, caused by:

anticholinergics, for example tricyclic antidepressants and benztropine
beta blockers
antihistamines
phenothiazines
vasoconstrictors

Interference with thermoregulation, caused by:

antipsychotics or neuroleptics, for example risperidone, clozapine, olanzapine
serotoninergic agonists
stimulants, for example amphetamine, cocaine
thyroxin

Decreased thirst, caused by:

butyrophenone, for example haloperidol and droperidol
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, caused by:

diuretics, especially loop diuretics
any drug causing diarrhoea or vomiting, for example colchicines, antibiotics, codeine
alcohol

Reduced renal function, caused by:

NSAIDS
sulphonamides
indinavir
cyclosporine

Aggravation of heat illness by worsening hypotension, caused by:

vasodilators, for example nitrates (GTN) and calcium channel blockers
anti-hypertensives

Levels of drug affected by dehydration (possible toxicity for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index), caused by:

digoxin
lithium
warfarin
antiepileptics
biguanides, for example metformin
statins
altered state of alertness, caused by any drugs which alter the state of alertness, for example alcohol, benzodiazepine and narcotics

Resources to help you prepare for heatwaves

At-risk community members can prepare for heatwaves and heatstroke using the resources below:

Heatstroke – Health Resource Directory

Preparing for a heatwave – Health Resource Directory

Healthcare providers can find more information at:

Beat the heat (nsw.gov.au)

14 September 2023

SWSPHN’s Disaster Management team will be sharing information about the importance of healthcare during a disaster or emergency, at the Wollondilly Emergency Services Expo on Saturday, 23 September.

The event will be held from 10am to 2pm at Victoria Park, Picton.

Representatives from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW SES, NSW Ambulance and the NSW Police Force will also attend the expo.

Our Disaster Management team will be holding a stall to provide community members with information about how to best prepare their health for a disaster.

They will also be distributing a flyer highlighting the five simple steps to follow to ensure your health and wellbeing can be prioritised during disaster.

The flyer, which provides practical advice about preparing your health for disaster as well as information about access to services, will also be available at:

Emergency Ready Day, Sunday, 24 September, 11am to 3pm, Koshigaya Park, Campbelltown
Community Links Wellbeing Festival of Fun, Sunday, 26 November, 10am to 2pm, Bargo Sports Ground

During an emergency, PHNs are the first points of contact on primary healthcare coordination and service availability, as part of the overall coordinated health response.

Health outcomes for our community can be greatly improved and enhanced when we prepare and respond to emergencies together.