South Western Sydney Local Health District

Winner​: Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare​ Award

The first 2000 days of a child’s development is a strong predictor of future health and social outcomes. In South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), 27% of children aged 0-5 years are developmentally vulnerable, with 42% identifying as Aboriginal. Additionally, Aboriginal families are more likely to encounter barriers to culturally safe healthcare.

This project aimed to improve access to paediatric allied healthcare for Aboriginal children through a culturally led partnership.

Together with Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, SWSLHD established an integrated hub at Tharawal early education centres. The hub delivered two co-designed models of care:

• Primary prevention and early identification: Educators and Allied Health (Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Pathologist) Clinicians work together to support and promote children’s development in the classroom.
• Direct care: Children identified with greater health or developmental need can access a clinician on site. These include a Child and Family Health Nurse, Developmental Paediatrician, Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Dietitian. An Aboriginal Child and Family Health Connector supports families through case management.

Over the project timeframe (April 2023 – April 2024) the hub provided 542 individual appointments to Aboriginal children in SWSLHD. The key outcomes of the integrated hub to date have been:

• increased identification of developmental vulnerability
• increased access to culturally responsive care for families
• increased coordination of supports across systems
• improved child health outcomes including readiness for school
• increased Educator and Parent confidence.​