Supporting the health and wellbeing of young Tasmanians in the community

In 2022, the Tasmanian Government provided grant funding through the “It Takes a Tasmanian Village” Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy to expand Hospital South’s community paediatrics service to a statewide Tasmanian Community Paediatric Service (TCPS).

The TCPS has been tasked with providing timely, needs-based access to paediatric medical and short-term allied healthcare for children across Tasmania who are experiencing social vulnerability. This healthcare is delivered through the Kids Care Clinics (KCC).

Since the commencement of KCC in March 2023 through to June 2024, 897 new patients have been seen across the state. In total, 5,447 appointments have been offered to 1,768 patients, including existing patients of the service.

In just over 18 months of operations, the service has made a significant impact on the Tasmanian community by supporting the health and wellbeing of many young Tasmanians.

Every child and family are provided with targeted health care tailored to their individual health needs and goals. This starts with an initial wellbeing outpatient appointment with a paediatrician, where children are given a comprehensive health assessment, including checks of their medical, developmental and emotional wellbeing.

The Clinics prioritise children who are experiencing social vulnerabilities and barriers to accessing care. They focus on early identification of health and wellbeing concerns, ensuring that those who may experience difficulties receive timely care and are supported from the outset.

Clinicians work collaboratively with children and families from the outset, with the aim of empowering families to meet their children’s needs and navigate the complex service landscape.

Kids Care Clinics have been held in 20 different accessible community settings across the state – including child and family learning centres and neighbourhood houses – to provide this support closer to home and reduce barriers to accessing care.

The community-based paediatric service is part of the Tasmanian Government’s ‘It Takes a Tasmanian Village’ Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and is supported with a $6 million investment over three years.

All children seen through Kids Care Clinics will have an initial ‘Wellbeing Appointment’ with a paediatrician to discuss all aspects of their health and development, and to develop recommendations and goals with the child and their family.

If paediatric issues involving health, development, or behaviour are established then the young person will continue for further multidisciplinary assessment and intervention, including autism and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments.

Children can be referred to the service through multiple sources where vulnerability is identified, such as the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line, maternity services, and from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.