Dr Corina Modderman has evaluated a new area-based intervention model to improve health outcomes for children in out-of-home care (OOHC).
“In Australia, children and young people may be placed in OOHC when they cannot safely remain at home due to child abuse, neglect, or parents' inability to provide adequate protection,” Dr Modderman explains.
“These children typically have higher physical, mental and developmental health needs compared to their non-OOHC peers, which is partly due to a lack of timely and adequate health care.”
Dr Modderman says the health needs of children in OOHC are often not prioritised, leading to long-term health conditions.
“This issue is even more present in rural and regional communities, where healthcare inequalities persist due to limited access to primary healthcare services. Unfortunately, the demand for healthcare exceeds the availability of allied health, social work, medical and nursing professionals.”
Dr Modderman’s project, based in Mildura, explored how collaborative processes could improve health outcomes for children in OOHC.
“A key factor was the co-location of a health navigator, which is someone who helps people access the right support. In our study, the health navigator was a registered nurse and we found that having them integrated into the Maternal and Child Health Service and Child Protection Program improved health access and outcomes for children in OOHC.”
“Key infrastructure improvements also took place, such as forming a specialist paediatric OOHC clinic at the Mildura Base Public Hospital and identifying children in OOHC on Sunraysia Community Health Services and Maternal and Child Health referral documents. This also led to enhanced care and support pathways for children and their carers.”
Dr Modderman says the results are promising, demonstrating that improved health system integration is beneficial for children in OOHC.
“This process needs to occur from the moment children move into care, regardless of their age or type of OOHC. A designated and co-located health navigator can ensure comprehensive health checks aligned with national recommendations and priority access to allied health services.”
A recent funding announcement for a multidisciplinary assessment clinic at Sunraysia Community Health Services is welcome news, allowing Dr Modderman and her team to continue their important work in Mildura.
“At the heart of our recommendations is the spirit of collaboration, mutual support and a shared drive for the rights of children in OOHC to have quality and priority access to health and wellbeing services.”
