The Victorian Government’s Doctors in Secondary Schools (DiSS) program provided health care treatment and support to more than 24,000 high school students between 2017 and 2023, a Victorian Department of Education evaluation has found.
DiSS, which is led by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN), ensures the weekly term-time presence of a GP and practice nurse in each of the 100 schools assessed by the Department as the most in need.
It complements student wellbeing programs aimed at preventative health and improving health literacy.
DiSS began in 2017. All six Victorian Primary Health Networks commission general practices to provide services in selected schools.
The Department’s latest evaluation, published in February, concluded that the program “is highly valued and continues to provide an effective avenue for reaching young people and providing preventative health interventions and primary care.”
It also concluded that it improves health literacy and health outcomes for young people, and commended DiSS practitioners for “prioritising effective and comprehensive treatment over the volume of consultations”.
DiSS services are available to just over one-third of Victorian government high school students. Since 2017, DiSS doctors delivered more than 86,000 consultations.
NWMPHN Chief Executive Christopher Carter said the results were excellent news.
“The DiSS system allows young people to seek treatment or support for physical and mental health issues,” he said.
“They can do this without having to travel to a general practice clinic – which can be challenging – and can also discuss health concerns they might feel uneasy raising with family members.
“This is a fantastic example of Victorian Primary Health Networks working well together, and collaborating with individual schools and the Victorian Department of Education to provide a service that positively impacts the lives of thousands of young people.”
To learn more about Doctors in Secondary Schools, see nwmphn.org.au/diss.
