RWAV’s VicOutreach Rural Health program focuses on improving health outcomes for people living in rural and regional Victoria. The scheme provides financial support for healthcare professionals providing outreach services. Nina Woulfe, Director of In Leaps & Bounds in Mildura talks to us about the impact of the program on the local community of Mildura. Through RWAV’s VicOutreach program Associate Professor Michael Marks provides Paediatric services to the since April 2016. Michael is a senior Paediatrician in the Department of General Medicine, Royal Children’s Hospital and a Clinical Assoc Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.
Nina says “ RWAV’s contribution to the local Mildura community has been immeasurable”. Prior to the involvement of RWAV, there was a 3 to 6 month waiting list for parents to secure an appointment with a local Paediatrician. Some families had to travel long distances to Melbourne or Adelaide to access a Paediatrician.
Assoc Professor Marks is “part of our family now and he loves coming to Mildura – it really has been a great success for the community of Mildura”. Having access to Assoc Professor Marks has been extremely well received in the local community by parents and health professionals alike. They are very appreciative of being able to see Michael close to their homes regularly. There have been very positive outcomes for the children in the local community including a number of children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder where Assoc Professor Marks has ensured they receive the support they require to achieve the best possible outcomes for them to thrive.
Nina rates RWAV a “10 out of 10” and that “the communication is exceptional and feel like we are truly being supported with the needs of the local community. I could not speak highly enough of the personnel that we are involved with at RWAV.”
