Vital child health checks now as close as the phone for country residents
WA Country Health Service has launched a new project that provides greater access for rural and remote families to regular child health checks and developmental milestones with the launch of virtual child health appointments.
The pilot project brings the expertise of the WA Country Health Service’s Healthy Country Kids program direct to your home via phone, tablet or computer via the latest telehealth technology.
The service is currently available for children aged 1-3 years in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields and Midwest regions.
Parents and caregivers can now opt to have the important Purple Book child health checks conducted virtually, from the comfort and convenience of their own home.
The Virtual Child Health Nurse uses technology to assess important markers of healthy development such as social and personal interactions, teeth, vision, hearing, language and motor skills.
Importantly, the appointments also include time to talk about parents’ own physical and mental health, sleep, healthy eating and family wellbeing, as well as details on resources and support that could benefit your child and the family as a whole.
Since WACHS began the pilot service in May 2022, it has been embraced by parents across regional WA, from as far afield as Paraburdoo, Kununurra, Carnarvon and Leinster.
Parents have been quick to praise the service, with encouraging feedback such as “my child was comfortable in the home environment”, it “works well online”, “as good as seeing a nurse face-to-face” and “it was as though we were in the same room”.
WA Country Health Service Director Population Health Sylvia Lennon said virtual child health checks were a huge step forward in delivering healthcare closer to home for regional families.
“Most of us are comfortable using our phones or devices to access a range of services, and the quality of telehealth technology now makes it possible to bring our extraordinary team of child health nurses to the homes of people across regional WA,” Ms Lennon said.
“The service is high quality, secure and convenient.
“We’re excited about how virtual child health checks will improve the health, wellbeing and long-term potential of our regional kids.”
Parents can familiarise themselves with virtual child health appointments by viewing this short, informative video produced by the WACHS Virtual Child Health Nurse team.
To find out if a virtual child health appointment is right for you, contact your GP, local Playgroup WA or your local community health service here, or email WACHSVirtualChildHealthNurse@health.wa.gov.au