NWMPHN is recruiting two new general practices to the Doctors in Secondary Schools program, ensuring a greater provision of services for young people across Melbourne’s north west.
The DISS program involves contracting medical staff to be located one day a week in 21 schools across the NWMPHN region. These services are funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training and will ensure students have easy access to primary care.
Expressions of interest are being sought by general practices to provide services to Victoria University Secondary College (Brimbank Campus) and Keilor Downs Secondary College.
NWMPHN Deputy CEO Julie Borninkhof said the DISS program is integral to the work the primary health network does to ensure young people have access to good health care and information.
“Usually in schools, anything overly complicated would mean students have to head to their local GP rather than the ‘sick bay’ and for working parents this usually means taking time off,’’ Ms Borninkhof said. “And while schools have responded to changing community needs by offering a much wider range of support services than in the past, health services haven’t always developed at the same rate.
“The DISS program addresses this issue by providing equitable, accessible and professional primary care services to young people in Victorian secondary schools.”
The program will provide students with easy access to primary care and will reduce the pressure on working families. Effective primary care also means early identification of other health issues and referral of students to appropriate support.
To apply, visit: nwmphn.org.au/tenders.
