Yarra Ranges Council’s Maternal Child Health team is currently experiencing staff pressures due to workforce shortages across the state, resulting in delays to booking availability.
Currently, the Kilsyth and Mooroolbark services are the most impacted by rescheduling but all centres may be impacted in the coming weeks.
The council is asking parents and guardians to be flexible and understanding as they work to find bookings for everyone who needs one.
Over the last few weeks, the Maternal Child Health (MCH) team has been working hard to reschedule appointments for older children, particularly for 3.5-year-old, 2-year-old and 18-month-old children.
The rescheduling is necessary to ensure staff can prioritise babies, toddlers and families who are vulnerable or in urgent need of assistance. The team are working to find bookings for everyone, while ensuring people with the most need are able to get help.
In most cases, parents have been understanding of these appointment changes.
The council want to assure parents that it is currently utilisng all casual and part-time staff available, and is actively recruiting to address the workforce shortage but expects that staff shortages will likely continue into the coming weeks and, potentially, months.
If you are concerned about your child’s development, please call the MCH team, your local GP or paediatrician.
Staff know these delays are inconvenient, and would like to apologise for the disruption they may cause. The council is committed to the highest level of care, and thanks all parents and guardians for their understanding during this time.
For further information, please contact the Maternal Child Health team on 1300 368 333 or visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Community/Family/Maternal-and-child-health
