Australian Government delivers support for children in Northern Tasmania with hearing loss

The Australian Government is delivering for Northern Tasmanian children with hearing loss and their families with vital support at the new Launceston Shepherd Centre.
 
The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, opened the centre today, delivering on the Albanese Government’s key election commitment to establish a permanent centre in Northern Tasmania.
 
The centre will provide wraparound care with specialist early intervention services from audiologists, family and child counsellors, and listening and spoken language specialists.
 
This is the third centre to be delivered as part of the Albanese Government’s $6.5 million investment to address gaps in hearing services available for children, with centres open in Hobart and Oran Park, Sydney.
 
The funding will also scale up the HearHub digital platform, so help is available regardless of geographical location.
 
The new Shepherd Centre is located at 124 Talbot Road, South Launceston.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
 
“Over many decades the Shepherd Centre has proved time and again that their work is making a real difference to children with hearing loss and their families.
 
“This centre was an election commitment and I’m proud to deliver it so children with hearing loss in Northern Tasmania can receive the support they need, where and when they need it.
 
“For the first time, they’ll get tailored, local support from healthcare specialists providing wraparound care for hearing loss.”