Our Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service provides information, advice and support to those caring for babies and young children
It is a free service and works in partnership with families to care for babies and young children until they start school.
Visits focus on optimising child and family health, well-being, safety, learning and development.
When attending the centre please bring a cloth for the scales and bag to take home any soiled nappies.
Appointments
10 key visits to MCH are scheduled for certain times of development that are known as key ages and stages. These are outlined in the “My Health and Development Record’
Health information is provided on nutrition, feeding, parenting, development, safety, current immunisation practices and whatever else is important to you at the time.
The 3½ year assessment includes a vision screen.
Additional visits can be requested.
Service availability
The MCH Line is available 24 hours a day on 132 229.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline (Australian Breastfeeding Association) is also available 24 hours a day on 1800 686 268.
Please keep the following points in mind when coming to or booking your MCH appointment:
- To make an appointment or to reschedule, please call us on 03 5272 4741
- Please let our staff know prior to arriving at the MCH centre or Home Visit, if you or a family member living with you have tested positive to COVID, are currently isolating or are awaiting a COVID test result. This is so an alternative consultation can be arranged.
- Please cancel if you or any member of your family are unwell with a cold, runny nose, sore throat, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath.
- No food please in consulting rooms
- Telehealth appointments will be available on request for some of our services.
For additional assistance the 24-hour MCH line is 132 229.
Information privacy
Information about parent and child health is recorded at each Maternal and Child Health appointment. If you would like to know how this information is stored and managed, you can contact [email protected] or view the Department of Health's privacy fact sheet.
In keeping with the Children Youth and Family Act 2005 if staff are contacted by Department of Families Fairness and Housing or Orange Door we are obligated to provide relevant information.