Paediatric Service Continues Thanks to Local Leadership

The By Five team are thrilled to share a positive update regarding the future direction of the Paediatric Project.

So many local professionals and families have been involved in this work, be it from the beginning or along the journey, contributing and shaping to make it what it is today, a service that just could not be let go of.

Thanks to our local partners and the ongoing support from The Royal Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric service will continue across the Wimmera Southern Mallee; a wonderful testament to the value of what has been created here in the region and its impact.

A partnership with Uniting Vic Tas. and Grampians Health will take the service into the next phase and as a team – we are very excited about this collaboration.

We look forward to sharing further updates as we gradually transition into this new phase and reopen appointments.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who have written letters, spoken on radio, or appeared in news articles highlighting what this service means to our region.

See press release below;

The award-winning By Five Paediatric Service, a locally designed and nationally recognised model of care is acknowledging a powerful example of rural collaboration.

Uniting Vic.Tas and Grampians Health are now key collaborators in the delivery of this vital service for children and families across the Wimmera Southern Mallee region.

For the past five years, the By Five Paediatric Service has delivered rapid, community-based paediatric care. Designed by and for rural communities in partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital, the service enables professionals—including Maternal and Child Health Nurses, GPs, and Allied Health teams—to refer children to behavioural paediatricians, with appointments taking place in local towns via telehealth within weeks, not years.

The service enables children to be referred and seen quickly in a familiar setting, surrounded by trusted individuals, which has transformed access to care in rural communities. Additionally, it has empowered local health professionals to build their skills and confidence in paediatric care.

Louise Netherway, Uniting Vic.Tas, Local Service Lead – Wimmera said her organisation was proud to see the service’s progress.

“We have seen first-hand the profound impact this service has on children and families. It is trusted, it is local, and it works. We were proud to contribute to the health and wellbeing of local families in such a direct way.”

Dale Fraser, CEO Grampians Health said a team of highly skilled Grampians Health Paediatricians deliver expert care to the families, and support professionals, demonstrating the promise to community that care closer to home is a cornerstone of the organisation’s strategic plan.

“The need for accessible, community-based paediatric care in our region is undeniable, and this service has clearly addressed a critical gap. Feedback from the By Five and key stakeholders across the region has reinforced the immense value the community places on this model. As the regional health provider, we are proud to support its continuation and deeply value the collaborative partnership with By Five and Uniting Vic Tas, whose local insight and commitment have been instrumental to the service’s success” said Dale Fraser, CEO Grampians Health

Jo Martin, Executive Officer of By Five, said the commitment of local organisations and Statewide services should be recognised. “The Royal Children’s Hospital were an instrumental partner in trialling a flexible model of service delivery, which is now been supported by Grampians Health and Uniting Vic. Tas. This model might not fit traditional systems, but it is exactly what works in the Wimmera. The service was locally designed, widely valued by families and professionals, and is strongly supported by evaluation data. The leadership shown by Uniting Vic.Tas. and Grampians Health to honour this model is what true place-based leadership looks like.”

While this service is not a solution for all children or every challenge faced across the region, it represents a significant step forward. It offers a proven model of care that is responsive, community-driven, and deeply valued. Thanks to strong local leadership and collaboration, children and families in the Wimmera Southern Mallee will continue to access the paediatric support they need—close to home and with the continuity they deserve.