By Georgia Westgarth
SEVEN Casey schools will be among the first in the state to be part of a new medical program which will see doctors work from 100 secondary schools across Victoria.
The State Government announced the first ‘Doctors in Secondary Schools Program’ on Thursday 1 September.
The program will give more than 70,000 Victorian students regular access to a doctor and healthcare on school grounds.
Cranbourne East Secondary College, Cranbourne Secondary College, Hallam Senior Secondary College, Lyndale Secondary College, Fountain Gate Secondary College, Gleneagles Secondary College and Narre Warren South P-12 College are set to gain GPs as early as term one, next year.
Participating schools will partner with local doctors who will visit for up to one day a week, with students able to get referrals to specialists.
Half of the schools participating in the program are located in regional Victoria.
A further 25 schools taking part in the program are located in Melbourne’s growth areas and urban fringe.
The State Government said work was now underway on recruitment and training, building consultation rooms at schools and establishing partnerships with local healthcare providers.
The Andrews Government provided $43.8 million for ‘Doctors in Secondary Schools’ in the Victorian Budget 2016-’17, including $25.8 million for staff and operational costs and $18 million to build consultation rooms on school grounds.
“Happy, healthy and resilient students learn better, stay in school longer and achieve more,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We know that young people – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – are the least likely to see a GP, so putting doctors in schools will make sure these kids have the access to healthcare they need.”
