Paediatric Outreach Clinic Pilot

Statement of Need

• Early identification of developmental conditions

• Behavioural and mental health support

• Significant impact on family well-being

• School readiness and long-term health outcomes

Aboriginal families are disproportionately affected due to cultural, transport, and financial barriers. A consistent, local paediatric clinic will provide accessible and culturally safe specialist care for families who need it most. Based on previous referral patterns, it is estimated that 20–30 children per year experience delays in accessing specialist paediatric services. These children present with a range of developmental, behavioural, and health concerns, including developmental delays, speech or language difficulties, and behavioural challenges, highlighting the critical need for timely, local intervention. Detailed patient numbers and diagnosis will be confirmed if required.

This project involves the delivery of half-day paediatric clinic per month over a 12-month period.

Key components include:

• • Monthly half-day clinic delivered by Dr Stephanie White
• • Comprehensive assessment and review of developmental, behavioural, and general health concerns
• • Collaboration with general practitioners, schools, early childhood services, and allied health providers
• • Allocated time for follow-up consultations, referrals, clinical reporting, and care planning
• • Dedicated administrative support for appointment scheduling, family communication, and Medicare processing
• • Targeted training for staff to strengthen paediatric knowledge and clinical capability
• • Use of specialised developmental screening tools and appropriate clinical resources

Expected Outcomes

The establishment of this clinic will lead to measurable outcomes, including:

• • Earlier detection of developmental, behavioural, and learning concerns
• • Increased service access for Aboriginal families in a culturally safe setting
• • Reduced burden on regional tertiary paediatric services
• • Improved care coordination across local health and community organisations
• • Enhanced clinical capability and knowledge within the Darrimba Maarra team
• • Robust data to demonstrate impact and support future funding applications

Key components include:

• • Monthly half-day clinic delivered by Dr Stephanie White
• • Comprehensive assessment and review of developmental, behavioural, and general health concerns
• • Collaboration with general practitioners, schools, early childhood services, and allied health providers
• • Allocated time for follow-up consultations, referrals, clinical reporting, and care planning
• • Dedicated administrative support for appointment scheduling, family communication, and Medicare processing
• • Targeted training for staff to strengthen paediatric knowledge and clinical capability
• • Use of specialised developmental screening tools and appropriate clinical resources

Evaluation will include:

• • Number of children seen and referral patterns
• • Staff competency improvements
• • Feedback from families, GPs, and service partners
• • Narrative and quantitative reporting to the funder
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• Sustainability

Following the pilot, sustainability will be pursued through:

• • Presentation of impact data to secure ongoing funding
• • Strengthened partnerships to embed the clinic into long-term service delivery