Wednesday, 17 August 2022

 Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (18:04): (2065) My adjournment is to the Minister for Health, and the action I seek is for the minister to address the funding gap affecting maternal and child health services across our state and return it to a 50-50 split with local councils. Maternal and child health services in my electorate have been under pressure since before the pandemic, with staffing shortages and the tyranny of distance placing stress on already stretched systems. Staff in councils continue to do a wonderful job in challenging circumstances, and maternal and child health nurses are some of our most treasured and trusted healthcare workers. I speak about early intervention so much and consider maternal and child health services as a critical early response that can prevent health and safety matters from escalating to crisis. The challenges that existed before COVID are now compounding, and there are reports that appointments are being cut and wait times are blowing out. This could result in thousands of children missing crucial checks.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has identified that the traditional 50-50 split of funding between councils and state government has tilted and leaves services short. I know that for some councils in my electorate this split is more like 40-60. The widening funding gap could have significant effects downstream, not only for the individual wellbeing of children and their families but including long-term consequences for our health, child protection, education and justice systems.

There are proactive solutions being proposed by the City of Whittlesea, in partnership with neighbouring Mitchell shire and Hume city councils, which also need support to improve maternal and child health services. A little over $2 million would deliver the KAS 45 pilot in the City of Whittlesea, and there is a broader call to review the key ages and stages framework and improve IT systems. Mitchell shire is an area with strong population growth and high rates of family violence. Extending this successful multidisciplinary workforce approach operating between the cities of Whittlesea and Hume into Mitchell shire would require funding for a social worker and family violence practitioner. The City of Whittlesea has proposed a nurse educator program, which would cost $360 000 and provide a work-ready program for students undergoing clinical placements and support services for supervising nurses. There are proactive solutions being proposed from the front line, and I strongly support these being implemented as soon as possible.

What is also urgent is for the government to rebalance the funding model before it blows out even further. The impact of a positive early childhood experience for both the child and the parents can help set a family on a positive pathway and prevent a host of issues downstream. Maternal and child health workers are adept at identifying developmental delays. They assess safety and health risks and provide valued support and connection for parents. They are particularly relied on to give enhanced support to vulnerable parents and those who might be in contact with child protection and our justice system, but the support and service they provide is important for all children.