Family Health

There is a wide range of health support available for children and families including child health and development services, school health services, community health services and women's health services.

There may be a number of private and not-for-profit organisations that provide services with assistance from the State Government that are not listed here. Some of these may include women's health centres and family planning and maternal health services. For more information on these and other health services, call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.

CHILD HEALTH CENTRES

Child Health Centres are staffed by registered nurses with qualifications in child and family health. They provide a range of services in partnership with parents and carers of babies and young children up to the age of 4 years.

Community Child Health Nurses can assess children's health and development as well as provide information about many aspects of parenting, maternal and family health and healthy lifestyles.

There are 310 Child Health Centres across Western Australia. Most child health centres operate an appointment system Monday to Friday, but some are only open part time. You will usually need to make an appointment for your visit. Please ask the nurse for further details. All services are free.

For location and contact details, see the list found under Child Health or refer to the white pages or call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Child Development Service provides a range of support services for children, with or at risk of developmental difficulties, and their families. Developmental difficulties may include problems with:

• coordination and movement (e.g. crawling, walking, writing and drawing)
• social/emotional skills (e.g. managing feelings, relating to others)
• behaviour
• speech and language
• learning and attention

Referral forms for the Child Development Service are available from your local health professional (e.g. Child Health Nurse, GP, School Health Nurse). Once your child has been accepted for our services, your child may be seen by one of more health professionals (e.g. speech pathologists, occupational therapists, paediatricians and medical officers, physiotherapists, social workers and clinical psychologists).

For location and contact details, see the list found under Child Health or refer to the white pages or call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

Each local Community Health Service offers school health services to primary and secondary schools within its geographical area. Community health staff (usually a school health nurse) visit primary schools on a regular basis and one of the services offered is a health assessment when children first commence school. Children’s vision and hearing are checked and any developmental health concerns are explored through this assessment. In secondary schools, students can also access the school health nurse for support, advice or referral for many adolescent health issues. The school health nurse may be involved in health promotion and well-being programs within the school. The school health nurse can provide parents with information about health, development, immunisation or other child or family health-related issues.

Enquires for school health services can be made through the administration office of all local schools.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES

Community health services are provided through a network of public, private and non- government services to help people with most common health problems. Services include:

• health promotion and education;
• family health care including screening, immunisation and treatment of infants and school-aged children;
• health care to those who may have special needs such as aboriginal people, women, people with severe disability or disease, older people, low income earners and people in remote areas;
• nursing and therapy services;
• palliative care; and
• multicultural services.

IMMUNISATION

Routine immunisation of children, adolescents and adults can prevent many diseases capable of causing serious illness, disability and sometimes death. Your doctor, child health nurse, school health nurse or immunisation clinic can provide advice.

Other services can be found under Hospital Services, Mental Health, Dental Health, and Health Services for Older People.

In this listing:

• Community Health Centres - Metropolitan
• Community and Child Health Services - Country
• Other Health Services

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES - METROPOLITAN

COMMUNITY AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES - COUNTRY

OTHER HEALTH SERVICES