Council's Maternal Child Health team is currently experiencing staff pressures due to workforce shortages across the state, resulting in delays to booking availability.
We're asking parents and guardians to be flexible and understanding as we work to find bookings for all everyone who needs one.
Over the last few weeks, the Maternal Child Health (MCH) team has been working hard to reschedule appointments for older children, particularly for 3.5-year-old, 2-year-old and 18-month-old children.
The rescheduling is necessary to ensure that staff can prioritise babies, toddlers and families who are vulnerable or in urgent need of assistance. We are working to find bookings for everyone, while ensuring people with the most need are able to get help.
Currently, the Kilsyth and Mooroolbark services are the most impacted by rescheduling, but all centres may be impacted in the coming weeks.
In most cases, parents have been understanding of these appointment changes.
Council want to assure parents that we are currently utilisng all casual and part-time staff available, and are actively recruiting to address the workforce shortage. However, we expect that staff shortages will likely continue into the coming weeks and, potentially, months.
If you are concerned about your child's development, please call our MCH team, your local GP or paediatrician.
We know these delays are inconvenient, and we would like to apologise for the disruption they may cause. We are committed to the highest level of care, and we thank all parents and guardians for their understanding during this time.
