Home > Services > Maternal Child Health

Maternal Child Health Service

For an update on Information for parents with infants and young children please download HERE (22 July 2020).

Local Update

In response to keeping the community safe, Central Highland Rural Health Integrated Primary Care services are transitioning to a phone based consultation model. This action is an attempt to limit the spread of the Corona Virus. Your appointment time remains the same and we will be calling you to provide you with continued Maternal and Child Health service. The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service works in partnership with families to care for babies and children until they start school.

New Parent Groups

New Parent Groups are now being held virtually through A telehealth platform. All new parents will receive an invitation to join a zoom group where they will get the opportunity to meet other new families. The group will run for 6 weeks. The weekly topics are:

Week 1: Now we are parents
Week 2: The art of sleep
Week 3: Brain development and the importance of play
Week 4: Food glorious food
Week 5: Parent health and well being
Week 6: Staying connected

2021 Dates:

Creswick Dates:

January Friday 29th – March 5th 1pm – 3pm
May Monday 3rd – June 7^th 1pm – 3pm
September Tuesday 7th – October 12^th 1pm – 3pm

Daylesford Dates:

March Tuesday 23^th – April 27th 1.00pm – 3.00pm
June Monday 21^nd – July 26^th 1.00pm – 3.00pm
November Tuesday 9^th – December 14^th 1.0pm-3.00pm

Enhance Maternal and Child Health Service

The Enhanced Maternal Child Health (EMCH) program is part of Victoria’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service and is offered to selected families as an extension of the Universal Maternal and Child Health (UMCH) program. The EMCH program offers flexible actions and interventions to families who would benefit from targeted support.

Immunisations

The Victorian immunisation schedule outlines the vaccines that are routinely provided free of charge to all Victorian children under the National Immunisation Program and the Victorian funded program. It also outlines the age at which each vaccination should be given. New vaccines against serious infections continue to be developed and the schedule might be updated in the future. Book an appointment with your family medical practitioner to have your child immunised

Breast Feeding Support

Breast feeding support call 53216550 to speak with a Breast Feeding specialist and/or make an appointment.

Sleep and Settling Service

Sleep and settling concerns are common issues affecting families with children aged from birth to school age. We support a families by offeringa family-centred approach when sleep is highlighted as a concern by a parent or caregiver. Something that is a concern for one family may not be an issue for another. We offer a flexible and responsive service, to the needs of families and service providers. Sleep and Settling consultations will be via phone and telehealth consultations currently, if you would like to speak to a nurse about a sleeping issue call 53216550

Smalltalk

Supported Playgroups are a free program for families across Victoria with children from birth to school age. A qualified facilitator leads these fun sessions where parents develop their skills and confidence to support their child’s wellbeing and development. Smalltalk is designed as part of a ten-week playgroup program for parents and children aged birth to 5 years. … They aim to achieve improved learning, development and well being outcomes for children in their early years through: Improving parent-child interactions in stimulating environments. Currently Suported Playgroup is suspended due to COVID 19.

Services available at

Daylesford at 13 Hospital Street from 9.00am – 4.30pm (Monday, Tuesday and every other Thursday)
Creswick at 1 Hill Street from 9.00am – 4.30pm (Monday, Tuesday and Friday)
Clunes at 69 Service Street from 9.00am – 4.30pm (alternate Thursday)
Trentham at 22-24 Victoria Street from 9.00am – 4.30pm (alternate Thursday)

Drop in Clinics currently supspended due to COVID 19

Meet The Team

Useful Contact Numbers

Maternal and Child Health Line
13 22 29

Australian Breastfeeding Association
1800 686 268

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia
1300726306

Beyond Blue
1300 224 636

Poisons Information Centre
13 11 26

Child Protection Crisis Line
13 12 78

Useful Websites

Australian Breastfeeding Association

Raising Children Network

Kindergarten programs

Safe Steps

Key Age and Stage visits

Other Programs

Breast feeding support call 53216550 to speak with a Breast Feeding specialist and/or make an appointment.

Immunisations:

Immunisation Program Schedule – from 1 April 2019

Book an appointment with your family medical practitioner to have your child immunised

Age	Disease	Vaccine brand
Birth	Hepatitis B (usually offered in hospital^[a]	H-B-Vax® II Paediatric or Engerix B® Paediatric
2 months Can be given from 6 weeks of age	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal Rotavirus^[b]	Infanrix® hexa Prevenar 13® Rotarix®
4 months	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal Rotavirus^[b]	Infanrix® hexa Prevenar 13® Rotarix®
6 months	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)	Infanrix® hexa
Additional vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (QLD, NT, WA and SA) and medically at-risk children^[c]	Pneumococcal	Prevenar 13®
12 months	Meningococcal ACWY Measles, mumps, rubella Pneumococcal	Nimenrix® M-M-R® II or Priorix® Prevenar 13®
Additional vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (QLD, NT, WA and SA)	Hepatitis A	Vaqta® Paediatric
18 months	Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)	Act-HIB® Priorix-Tetra® or ProQuad® Infanrix® or Tripacel®
Additional vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (QLD, NT, WA and SA)	Hepatitis A	Vaqta® Paediatric
4 years	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio	Infanrix® IPV or Quadracel®
Additional vaccines for medically at-risk children^[c]	Pneumococcal	Pneumovax 23®
a Hepatitis B vaccine: Should be given to all infants as soon as practicable after birth. The greatest benefit is if given within 24 hours, and must be given within 7 days. b Rotavirus vaccine: First dose must be given by 14 weeks of age, the second dose by 24 weeks of age. c Refer to the current edition of The Australian Immunisation Handbook for all medical risk factors.