Parents and babies are set to benefit from a new family care centre coming to the region later this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Earlier this week, the NSW Government committed $12.2 million to family health organisation Tresillian to establish six new regional centres - including one in Griffith.
The centre will provide specialist care to babies struggling with eating and sleeping issues as well as mental health support for parents with postnatal depression.
Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor said the services would be "life-changing" for regional families.
"I know how difficult it can be adjusting to life with a newborn and having services like this close to home really will be life-changing for regional families," Ms Taylor said.
Tresillian's director of clinical service integration Debbie Stockton said the Griffith service will help ensure local babies get the best possible start to life.
"The early years of a child's life are just absolutely critical for their lifelong health, wellbeing and the whole trajectory of their life," Ms Stockton said.
"It will be incredible for Griffith families to have that specialised support so close to home."
READ MORE
Postnatal depression and anxiety affects about 20 per cent of mothers and 10 per cent of fathers - rates which are expected to be even higher in regional areas.
To help combat this, a Gidget Foundation mental health clinician will be permanently based at the Griffith centre and available to speak with parents.
Ms Stockton says this will help the centre be "effectively a one-stop shop" for new parents.
"It's going to be a big focus for us to spot postnatal depression in the very early stages and provide Griffith parents with support from the moment they need it," she said.
Tresilian will also be looking at the possibility of running outreach services out of the Griffith building, with nurses being sent to other nearby towns and communities to offer support.
Ms Stockton says the organisation will look to be providing at least some local support in Griffith within the next few months and have the full centre up and running by the end of the year.
The $12 million committed by the State Government will also go towards centres in Goulburn, Grafton, Armidale, Cowra and Muswellbrook.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.areanews.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News