The Liberal National Government will invest $1.5m to ensure Queensland children get a decent start in life through a new wrap-around service to be trialled in Redlands and Logan.
The service model is set to start as soon as this year, with a specialised health nurse and allied health professionals in a coordinated hub located in Redlands.
If proven successful, care coordinators and additional hubs could be set up on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the Government’s investment is evidence of it’s commitment to ensuring all Australians have access to the right support services closer to home.
Our government is committed to the wellbeing of our children and this trial will embrace a new model of support, the results of which I genuinely look forward to seeing.”
“Andrew Laming had been the driving force behind the $1.5m trial and it was the result of years of service delivery planning,” Minister Hunt said.
The model to be trialled, has been developed with the assistance of Professor John Eastwood at the University of Sydney and expert paediatricians, GPs, nurses and allied health therapists.
Federal Member for Bowman, Andrew Laming said Redlands was the right location for a trial.
“We have a circumscribed population, well connected communities, GP practices and early learning centres that already work together,” Mr Laming said.
“The key challenge was sufficient allied health workers to cover the needs of the Redlands population. “
“My goal is to ensure that every child loves the first five years of life and makes it to school happy, healthy and ready to learn,” Mr Laming said.
The trial will be commissioned by Brisbane South PHN and will build on existing work undertaken through Logan Together and Children’s Health Queensland.
The Liberal National Government’s strong economic management ensures the continued record investment of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.