Child, youth and families

Last updated 12 October 2023
Child, youth and families
Table of Contents

Child, youth and family health

With rates of developmentally vulnerable children higher in our region compared with the national average, the Brisbane South PHN has identified child and youth health and wellbeing as a regional health care priority. We are working with health care services and progressing initiatives to improve child health and development and address primary health issues impacting on family wellbeing.

Children with developmental support needs

In some areas of Brisbane South, children’s developmental vulnerability is well above state average – and in some communities, is almost double. Currently, the process to access supports for children with both mild and complex presentations can be long and involved.

We offer tailored support sessions to provide general practice with information and support to navigate the complexities of paediatric referral pathways, to help improve children’s access to timely, specialist supports.

GP support sessions

Who: GPs and general practice staff

Session delivery: We offer tailored, in-person and online practice visits on management and referral options for children with developmental support needs. Each session content is uniquely tailored to suit the needs and specific questions of your practice.

Sessions may cover:

  • Tools for initial GP assessment/management

  • Tools to track children’s development

  • Information on how to navigate referral pathways

  • Online template for tertiary and community services

  • Practical consideration of an individual patient challenges/case study

  • A deeper understanding of the relationship between Children’s Health Queensland and Metro South Health

Upon completing this workshop, GPs can self-report it as a CPD activity. Contact us about training for your practice: support@bsphn.org.au

Children in care

Children and young people in care are a highly vulnerable group with increased physical, mental and social health needs and with limited access to health care services

It is recommended that children in care have:

  • a preliminary health check within 30 days of entering care

  • a comprehensive health and developmental assessment within 3 months of entering care and annually thereafter

  • a health management plan

To support your practice to do this, out-of-home care health assessment templates are available to download into your software on Brisbane South HealthPathways < (via Children and Young People in Care) or directly through Children’s Health Queensland.

Brisbane South PHN is always looking for General Practitioners (GPs) with a particular interest in working with children in care and trauma-informed practice. We offer a broad range of training, education and peer-support opportunities to GPs interested in undertaking professional development in this field. If you want to find out more, please contact us.

GPLO Maternity Shared Care Team

The Metro South GPLO Maternity Shared Care team are based at Logan Hospital and work with Metro South Maternity services and GPs across the hospital catchments. 
 
Click here for further information about the team and becoming a Shared Care GP. 
 
Click here for information on GP Maternity Share Care Education and resources.Â