September 13, 2016

Kyneton secondary college to get a doctor

Kyneton Secondary College students will have regular access to a doctor and the healthcare they need at school.

The Andrews Labor Government today announced the 100 schools taking part in the Doctors in Schools Program, with Kyneton Secondary College among the schools to get a GP under the scheme.

It was also announced that local MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas has been appointed as an ambassador for the Doctors in Schools Program.

Participating schools will partner with local doctors who will visit the schools for up to one day a week, with students able to get referrals to specialists and the help they need before it affects their studies.

Half of the schools participating in the program are located in regional Victoria, where families often face barriers to accessing healthcare.

A further 25 schools taking part in the program are located in Melbourne’s growth areas and urban fringe to help meet demand for services created by Victoria’s unprecedented population growth.

Work is now under way on recruitment and training, building consultation rooms at schools and establishing partnerships with local healthcare providers so the program can start rolling out next year.

The program will be rolled out progressively in the 100 schools around the state from term one, 2017.

The Labor Government provided $43.8 million for Doctors in Secondary Schools in the Victorian Budget 2016/17, including $25.8 million for staff and operational costs and $18 million to build consultation rooms on school grounds.

The list of 100 schools taking part is available at:

www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/doctors-secondary-schools.aspx

Quotes attributable to Mary-Anne Thomas MP
"I am delighted that the minister has asked me to be an ambassador for this important program, which aims to make primary health care accessible to students and assist early intervention in a range of health and wellbeing issues."

"Happy, healthy and resilient students learn better, stay in school longer and achieve more."

"Accessing affordable health care can be a real challenge in regional Victoria." ” The Doctors in Secondary Schools program means access to primary health care for kids who need it most.”

"Adolescence is tough. This program is about promoting the health of young people and is part of this Labor government’s commitment to giving all kids, particularly those who are disadvantaged, the best chance of succeeding at school."

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