UNDERSTANDING early childhood health and development is critical, which is why some local families have already booked for the Healthy Kids Bus Stop free health checks at South West Rocks and Kempsey.
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The Healthy Kids Bus Stop will be at South West Rocks Public School on July 24-25, and then at Kempsey West Public School, Kempsey from July 26-27.
The Bus Stop program will see more than 60 children aged between 3-5 years from across the region at both locations.
To access this award-winning program, parents and carers need to register online at http://www.royalfarwest.org.au/healthy-kids-bus-stop, or call Jennifer Goonan on 8966-8500 for more information.
The Healthy Kids Bus Stop is an integrated ‘whole of child’ health and developmental assessment and pathway to care program which aims to improve the health and well-being of children living in rural and remote communities through early detection of lifestyle risk factors, delayed development and/or illness.
The assessments are undertaken by a team of nursing and allied health staff and include a child health check, hearing screening, dental check, fine and gross motor skill development screening, language and speech development check and a food nutrition check.
As part of the program, the children receive a ‘bus pass’, which is stamped at each ‘bus stop’ station health check they complete.
When all required stations have been completed, the children are given a Healthy Kids Bus Stop bag containing items to promote healthy habits and play.
Importantly, the program’s pathway to care ensures that children are given a referral pathway to receive the ongoing support they need, through partnerships with local service providers and Royal Far West.
Mid North Coast Local Health District acting chief executive Bronwyn Chalker: “The Healthy Kids Bus Stop provides the opportunity to connect the child’s local GP with the Child and Family Health Nurse and other local and specialist services, providing a whole picture of the child’s health and developmental needs”.
