Opinion: Support those investing in the health of our young

Opinion: Support those investing in the health of our young

Associate Professor David Fuller – Clinical Director, Women’s and Children’s Directorate

For families everywhere, access to high-quality healthcare is essential. When a child falls ill, parents want to access the best care available. Accessing this care as close to home as possible lessens the impact on the whole family, and Barwon Health provides services that will help keep many parents from travelling additional hours to receive the treatment they need. Thanks to the generosity of the Good Friday Appeal and the Royal Children’s Hospital, Barwon Health has been able to enhance paediatric care across the region, ensuring that children from our region receive world-class treatment closer to home.

As the largest healthcare provider in the region, Barwon Health plays a vital role in supporting families. University Hospital Geelong serves not only the surrounding region, but also communities across the Barwon South West region, offering tertiary medical care and specialist services that aren’t available at smaller regional hospitals, while also supporting smaller services to enhance the care they are able to provide. However, providing this level of care requires continuous investment in training, equipment, and infrastructure, which makes investment from the Good Friday Appeal incredibly welcome at Barwon Health and in the broader Barwon South West region.

When this partnership began a year ago, it allowed Barwon Health to roll out specialist neonatal resuscitation training across the region. With the purchase of mannequins and training licenses, we have ensured that the same program is taught at all services where babies are born. Not only does this improve the care received locally, it also improves the links between healthcare practitioners throughout the region.

The funding has also been crucial in addressing the growing number of eating disorder and mental health admissions among children and adolescents. The Children’s Ward at University Hospital Geelong is undergoing refurbishments to create spaces that support group activities and social connection, an essential part of recovery for young patients. Additionally, nursing staff have been able to enrol in postgraduate courses, short training programs, and attend conferences, further equipping them with the knowledge and skills to meet the rising demand for mental health support. Other training and support includes including training in point-of-care ultrasound, a specialised education that allows medical teams to diagnose and treat conditions faster while reducing children’s exposure to radiation. The impact of these training programs extends far beyond the hospital walls – by building expertise locally, healthcare workers across the region can offer better, safer, and more efficient care.

These initiatives highlight the importance of supporting the Good Friday Appeal, and we know our community will give generously to contribute to the many services the fundraiser benefits each year. Our partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital is one that deserves recognition and ongoing support, making an immeasurable difference in the lives of families across our region.

The Good Friday Appeal is now underway, so as Easter draws closer and we reflect on the importance of community and generosity, let’s continue to support the organisations that are investing in the health of our children and young families. By standing together, we can help ensure that every Victorian child has access to the highest standard of medical care when they need it most, regardless of where they live.