Tweddle’s Parenting Programs Supporting MCH Services

By Kerrie Gottliebsen

This morning Tweddle Director of Clinical Services and Nursing Kirsty Evans spoke on ABC 774 regarding the impacts of reduced Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ages and stages visits.

This followed morning presenter Ali Moore’s interview with a mother of a young baby unable to secure MCH appointments beyond 8 weeks. Kirsty reinforced the importance of the visits and acknowledged the impacts staffing issues were having across the early parenting sector.

“The visits being missed, especially the 4-month and 8-month checks, pick up infant health concerns, but they are also vital for identifying and discussing postnatal depression, attachment issues, sleep problems, feeding concerns and developmental queries.”

Kirsty added that Early Parenting Centres like Tweddle, provide an opportunity for parents of babies and toddlers to gain sleep support, ages and stages feedback and health assessments across a range of programs.

“Tweddle employs experienced Maternal and Child Health nurses, Early Parenting Professionals and Mental Health workers that provide this support which is important when MCH services are under pressure” she said.

Tweddle’s programs include Residential, Day Stay, In-home and Telehealth services. Parents can visit the programs page on Tweddle’s website, or phone (03) 9689 1577 during business hours to ask about services.

You can hear Ali Moore’s interview here.