Parents disappointed after ‘crucial’ health service suspended in Melbourne

Parents have been left “frustrated” after maternal and child health services were suspended across Melbourne to help ease workforce shortages.

New parents have hit out against the “disappointing” suspension of maternal and child health services across Melbourne, as the health system diverts specialist nurses to hospitals.

The service change comes as Victoria declared a Code Brown to address an “overwhelming demand” on health services and workforce shortages.

Under the declaration, the Department of Health has restricted access to all local government maternal and child health services across metropolitan Melbourne for six weeks to all but the most vulnerable families.

A Department spokeswoman said new mothers, babies under eight weeks and vulnerable infants would still be able to receive prioritised care during the suspension period.

She said some specialist nurses were being temporarily diverted to support essential maternity services in hospital and community-based settings under the Code Brown declaration.

“We’re working to return services as soon as we can, and during this time families can continue to access a range of supports, including through the 24/7 maternal and child health line, GPs and SuperCare pharmacies,” the spokeswoman said.

Maternal and child health services have been suspended for six weeks across metropolitan Melbourne. Picture: istock

But Jodie Lee, a mother of two young boys, believes the change is a “stressful” shift which would impact young families.

“It‘s such an important avenue for new parents to get face-to-face conversations and learn about their child’s development,” she said.

“In the two years since my first son was born, the situation has been changing constantly. There’s no consistency which I think would be dangerous for vulnerable parents.”

She said the health service was a “crucial avenue” for parents to get authoritative advice for their children and was worried there would be lasting effects.

“I engaged with the service because it’s an important system to help parents get advice and build community,” Ms Lee said.

“I was lucky to get a few in person appointments in my first born’s early months, nothing can replace that.

“It‘s just a very frustrating time and I worry some parents will fall through the cracks.”

The Department of Health advises the temporary changes are expected to be in place from January 28 to March 11.

Immediate over the phone support by qualified nurses is accessible through the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29.