The Maternal and Child Health Service is a free service funded jointly by the Victorian Government and Local Government and is offered to all families with children from birth to school age.
Maternal and Child Health Nurses are Registered Nurses with additional qualifications in Midwifery and Child, Family and Community Health.
The Maternal and Child Health service works with families to promote optimal physical and emotional health, wellbeing and development.
Central Goldfields Shire Council fully funds additional Immunisation and Lactation Services for their residents.
As part of the Central Goldfields Shire Maternal and Child Health Service you can:
- Get information, support and advice on a variety of topics these include: pregnancy, birth and postnatal health; preparing for your baby; parenting; child health, development and learning; infant and child behaviour; immunisation; nutrition and feeding, including breastfeeding assessment; child safety; parental emotional health and wellbeing; and family planning.
- Get referrals to Specialist Referral and Allied Health Agencies including; Speech Therapy; Intereach/NDIS; Audiology; Continence; Behaviour Management; Early Parenting Centres; & General Practitioners
- Attend at Key Ages & Stages in your child's development for a one-on-one consultation that provides a health and developmental review in accordance with expectations for the child’s age
- Access additional activities like first-time parent groups, education sessions and get connected with other parents in the local area.
First Time Parent Groups are facilitated by our Maternal and Child Health nurses and guest speakers.
Parents are invited to join the program ideally when their baby is between one month and four months of age.
The First Time Parent Groups are a great parenting resource, offering access to various professionals to answer questions in a relaxed group environment. They also act as a great support to new parents by offering the opportunity to meet talk with others with children of the same age and stage.
The Central Goldfields Shire Maternal and Child Health Service operates from the Goldfields Family Centre, 100 Napier Street, Maryborough.
All consultations are by appointment. To make an appointment contact our Maternal and Child Health team on 03 5461 6550, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
The Centre is open to the public during these hours for time out during shopping trips and/or a feeding and changing station.
Breastfeeding Support is available Monday to Friday. All staff are qualified Midwives with extensive knowledge and skill in breastfeeding management. For more complex feeding issues our Lactation Consultant is available by appointment Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
When you come to the Centre for an appointment please bring your Child Health Record.
- Australian Breastfeeding Association – Breastfeeding Helpline (talk to a breastfeeding counsellor) 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268)
- Nurse on Call 1300 60 60 24 - this telephone service provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Maternal & Child Health Line 13 22 29 - qualified maternal and child health nurses provide information, support and advice to Victorian families with children from birth to school age (5 years old) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Maternal and Child Health APP or through apple or google play
- Raising Children Network provides tips and tools for everyday parenting from pregnancy to teens. This website contains trusted and up-to-date videos, apps and articles help parents navigate the day-to-day decisions of raising children and looking after their own needs.
- Better Health Channel provides health and medical information to improve the health and wellbeing of people and the communities they live in.
- Royal Childrens Hospital Kids Health Info fact sheets have been developed for parents and adolescents, and cover pertinent topics about medical conditions
- Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 - for 24 hour-a-day, 7 day a week advice on poisoning, suspected poisoning, and mistakes with medicine, bites and stings.
- Parent Line 13 22 89 - this telephone counselling service is available to parents and carers of children aged birth to 18 years throughout Victoria. They provide information and assistance on a wide range of issues, including those who are struggling with or finding the parenting role challenging. They cannot, however, provide you with legal or medical advice.