The Nillumbik Community Health Service provides the maternal and child health service under contract to Nillumbik Shire Council. There is no charge for this service.
After the birth of your child a maternal and child health nurse will call you to arrange a suitable time to visit you in your home. After this initial visit you will be invited to attend the nearest maternal and child health centre or the centre of your choice. While contact is required within seven days of receipt of birth notification, due to potential delays in receiving notification from hospitals and the part-time nature of many of the centres, it is not always possible to provide a home visit in that time. However, telephone contact with be made.
All maternal and child health nurses have qualifications in midwifery and family and child health. There is a schedule of visits for child development and health assessments at key ages that they provide. Assessment of family physical and emotional health and wellbeing is also provided. Your maternal and child health nurse can also be accessed for additional advice by telephoning the centre.
All parents are provided with information, advice and referral on issues which include child health, child development, breastfeeding, infant and child nutrition, maternal health, parenting, home safety, immunisation, relationships and local support services. The maternal and child health service also provides new parent groups, baby settling sessions, paediatric resuscitation, fussy eating and parenting sessions.
Telephone support is available 24 hours through The Department of Human Services 24-hour maternal and child health phone line. Call 13 22 29.
For a list of the maternal and child health centres in Nillumbik go to our community directory.
