PROSERPINE PARENTS GAIN EXTRA SUPPORT

_{05 February, 2010}

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A newborn drop in centre will open today at the Proserpine Community Centre for new local families.

The Universal Postnatal Contact service centre is a new service for parents and babies up to eight weeks of age to help improve access to parenting information as well as foster a supportive and coordinated community of maternity and child health services.

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said the centre offered services and support for new families in the region.

“This new clinic provides an exciting opportunity for local mums and dads to meet new people and share common issues or concerns they are facing with their newborns,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Bringing a new baby into the family can be challenging, and helpful advice and support close to hand to assist during this time can greatly assist new families.

“The drop-in service is just that, where no appointments are necessary, allowing new parents to drop in any time between 1 and 3 pm every Friday to the Community Centre in Herbert Street, Proserpine.

“A Child Health Nurse will run the clinic in an open plan environment, which encourages a forum for sharing of information, socialising and mingling.

“If ongoing services or care are required, the midwife is able to refer the newborn to appropriate community services or groups.

“The delivery of this clinic is a key Bligh Government commitment for local Proserpine families,” she said.

The same service opened in Cannonvale in late 2009 and has recently extended service hours due to high demand from the community.  

Mackay Health Service District’s Universal Post-natal Contact Services are now operating across the region at:

• Proserpine Community Centre, Herbert St,– Fridays 1 pm to 3 pm (from 5 February 2010)
• Cannonvale Community Health Building – Mondays 2 pm to 4 pm (from 30 November 2009)
• Shakespeare Street Child and Family Centre (Mackay) – Mondays 9 am to 12 noon
• Andergrove Community Centre – Thursdays 9 am to 12 noon
• Sarina Community Health Centre – Wednesdays 9 am – 12 noon

This service is provided in addition to Child Health’s one-to-one appointments which continue at their various sub-centres and community health facilities across the District.

Media contact-

Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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