Maternal & Child Health

Yarra City Council's Maternal and Child Health Service is free and confidential. The service is available for parents who live, work and study in the municipality and have babies and children up to the age of six years. The service recognises the diversity of families and cultures within Yarra.

Maternal and Child Health nurses are registered nurses and midwives with additional qualifications in Maternal and Child Health and Community Health. Your nurse offers:

A range of services through individual consultation, home visits and groups. Support and guidance to families while developing parenting skills. A service which actively promotes breast-feeding and recognises the special needs of mothers' health in their adjustment to parenthood. Assessment of child growth, development and behaviour at key ages and stages. Guidance and information on family health, immunisations, nutrition, accident prevention and child behaviour. Access to information on family and children services. New parent groups which give opportunity to meet other parents in the area and to share experiences and information. Interpreters to enable non-English speaking families equal access to the Maternal and Child Health Services.

Maternal & Child Health centre locations

Changes to the Maternal and Child Health Service

In October 2009, some small changes were introduced to the Maternal and Child (MCH) Service in Victoria. The changes mean that parents will be asked additional questions about their child’s health and wellbeing during their visit to the MCH nurse.  There will also be some slight differences to way information is recorded in the Child Health Record. Read more - Your Maternal and Child Health Service.

Meeting a Maternal and Child Health Nurse

The municipality is notified by the hospital or attendant midwife soon after a baby is born. The nurse will then contact the family to arrange a first visit which is usually in the home. If mothers have been home for a few days and the nurse has not made contact, please telephone the nearest centre or Yarra Council.

During pregnancy it is a good idea to arrange a visit to your local Maternal and Child Health Centre to meet the nurse.

Families who have moved to the City of Yarra are invited to attend the local centre with their child and to use the services offered.

Key Visits

It is recommended that all children attend their Maternal and Child Health Centre for assessment at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years and 3¹/₂ years. These ages are important to identify any deviations from normal.

Parents are welcome to consult the nurse for visits they require in addition to these suggested times.

Opening Hours

Service Hours:
Opening hours vary, please contact individual centres for opening hours.

After Hours:
The Maternal and Child Health Line operates 24 hours a day, every day (Ph: 13 22 29)

Royal Children's Hospital: 9345 5522

Complaints Procedure

Yarra's Maternal and Child Health Service is committed to ensuring that any person who has a complaint about the service is dealt with fairly, promptly, confidentially and without fear of retribution.

Service users are encouraged to raise concerns with their Maternal and Child Health nurse.

If the concerns have not been adequately addressed, please contact:

• Program leader , MCH, City of Yarra, PO Box 168, Richmond 3121, 9205 5411.

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Further information

Family Services
Collingwood Town Hall
140 Hoddle St Abbotsford
Telephone 9205 5441
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Childcare: How to choose services
Maternal and Child Health Centre location map

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)
Maternity services help new parents  Information from Better Health Channel
Parenting centres help families with young children Information from Better Health Channel
Children's Issues Published by Better Health Channel
Australian Breast feeding Association  A large community-based self-help group, recognised as a leading authority on breastfeeding management. The Association provides innovative counselling and support services to the community and health sector throughout Australia.

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214

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