General News
4 October, 2024
Doctor praises effort to boost paediatric care
Families are suffering in the Wimmera because of distance when trying to access paediatric care.
Dr Franklin Butuyuyu, a general practitioner based in Warracknabeal, said in rural Victoria families were faced with a tyranny of distance.
"The problem is real - families are suffering," he said.
Dr Butuyuyu said the initiative By Five's Years on End... The Tyranny of Distance helped him to hone his diagnostic skills, management and understanding of children with complex behavioural issues and to support them in their development and growth.
By Five and the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne, have joined forces with Wimmera families and professionals to address the growing disparity in child health outcomes at school entry for rural children.
A documentary made by True South Film highlights the award-winning partnership and incredible outcomes achieved to date through the work.
More than 400 children and families have accessed paediatric care with the support of their local health providers and within their own towns.
Parents throughout the Wimmera have praised the support network on the ground and By Five in building the capability and confidence of the local "village" of maternal and child health nurses, allied health practitioners, social care and education professionals, and general practitioners to support them with their children.
The RCH is much more than just a service partner, with its paediatricians regularly visiting the Wimmera, meeting families and professionals and getting to know the region.
Paediatric Fellow Dr Kate Monagle said meeting some of the professionals had been infectious in the best possible sense.
"They care for the community and the kids they look after," Dr Monagle said.
The initiative was kickstarted by data highlighting that up to one in every two children in the Wimmera was arriving at school developmentally vulnerable - well above the national and state average of one in five.
"Without access to paediatric care, the divide just continues", Dr Butuyuyu said.
Local pre-school field officer Peta Bond said being able to access the paediatric service ensured their children were receiving the care equal to every other child in the state.
"We deserve that, our families deserve that," Ms Bond said.
For more information on the evaluation of the By Five Paediatric Project in the Wimmera Southern Mallee, visit the By Five website: byfive.com.au