Short term changes to Maternal and Child Health services

Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent announcement of a Code Brown alert for health services, health workforces and services in Victoria are experiencing significant pressures that are compromising essential health services across Melbourne.

Staff in our Maternal and Child Health Service, along with those at Councils right across Melbourne, have been asked to work together to support hospital maternity services to deliver essential care for new mothers/caregivers and newborns in both hospital and community-based settings.

This means, we will need to divert some MCH nurses in the short-term to support essential maternity service delivery. Our staff will be unable to provide some of our usual service and will need to reschedule some appointments between Friday 28 January until Friday 11 March 2022.

During this time, some MCH services will be temporarily on hold, as we prioritise essential services to the most vulnerable children and families. We will be in touch to reschedule appointments as required.

The City of Whittlesea will continue to run the following services as normal to all children and families:

• First time parent and Infant groups will continue online.
• Your first visit with an MCH nurse will occur within the first 12 days of baby’s birth.
• Open consultations and Breast Feeding support sessions.
• KAS visits: routine visits for all age groups will resume Monday 4 April 2022.

Parents or caregivers with significant concerns about missed or delayed MCH appointments should contact their regular MCH service to access support.

Support is also available through:

• Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29. The Line is staffed 24-hours, 7-days-a-week by qualified MCH Nurses and provides confidential support and advice about the care and health of your child (from birth to school age).
• General Practitioner or other health professional
• Online resources such as: the Better Health Channel, health.vic, and Raising Children Network.