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The community engagement process

Below is a snapshot of the community engagement activities and promotions

Feedback received

In August 2023, Council conducted community engagement to collect feedback from parents and carers who use Maternal and Child Health services.

Some of the common themes identified from the survey include:

  • Many people love having the same nurse each time
  • Many people also loved being able to change nurses to identify a connection
  • New parents groups would benefit from more structure
  • There are barriers to contacting Maternal and Child Health Nurse services

Overall, the weighted average for the level of satisfaction of each of the questions asked was four stars and over.

Actions informed by the survey feedback

  • New parent groups

    First time parent groups to be reviewed, leading to streamlined and consistent delivery across all Maternal and Child Health centres.

Who are Maternal & Child Health Nurses?

Please click here to view the Maternal and Child Health Services page and request an appointment.

Maternal and Child Health Nurses are Registered Nurses and Midwives who have Postgraduate qualifications in Child, Family and Community Health. Our Nurses work closely with other health and support services and are able to link or refer families to early intervention and specialist assistance as well as local Community supports.

Your Hospital Midwife will notify us of your baby's birth. A Maternal and Child Health Nurse will contact you by phone and offer you a home visit as part of the program. Other visits are then generally conducted at your local Maternal and Child Health Centre. These include visits to check your child's growth and development at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, and 3.5 years.

Additional centre or home visits are offered to families with particular needs.

For all appointments or cancellations please call our central booking line on 9932 1300 from Monday to Friday between 9am and 3.30pm.

What services are provided?

The service provides a wide range of information, advice and support including

  • breastfeeding and formula feeding information and support
  • nutrition through all stages
  • immunisation
  • adjusting to parenthood and education
  • changing relationships within the family
  • sleep and settling difficulties
  • child and health development
  • childhood illness
  • child safety and injury prevention
  • parent groups, community networking
  • Maternal physical and emotional health information and support
  • After hours sessions at some designated centres
  • Interpreters are provided to non English speaking families
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