New health hub opens for families in Wolli Creek

A new integrated health care hub has recently opened to support women, families and children’s health and wellbeing by providing a broad range of early intervention and prevention services.

The hub, at Shop A, 4 Magdalene Terrace, Wolli Creek, opened on 23 May this year with the aim of ensuring that families receive exceptional care, and are empowered to provide their children with the best possible start in life.

Child, Youth and Family Services and the Women’s Health Program from SESLHD’s Population and Community Health Directorate, St George Hospital’s Maternity Service, and the not-for-profit organisation, Karitane collaborated to bring the hub to life.

Michelle Jubelin, Director of Child, Youth and Family Services, said that “South Eastern Sydney Local Health District is excited to be expanding our health services in the District and partnering with Karitane and the local community. By providing a service that is accessible and focused on early intervention we can help shape the long term health outcomes of our children and communities.”  

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that the new hub will provide much needed support to young families in the area.

“We know that the first five years of a child’s life is an extremely formative time for their long-term physical, cognitive and social development so it is crucial that we support families as much as we can during this time,” Minister Hazzard said.

Children in the Wolli Creek area are at an increased rate of vulnerability, compared with the NSW average. It is also a culturally diverse area with a significant increase in births.

Responding to this identified need for better engagement and access to family support services, this place-based initiative will partner with local organisations to provide a range of services for new families. These services include maternity services, universal health checks, psychosocial and developmental screening, specialised parenting support, and women’s health checks and health education.

Karitane CEO, Grainne O’Loughlin said: “We are looking forward to supporting families along their parenting journey during this critical time in a child’s development. We hope this new integrated health care hub in partnership with SESLHD will provide much needed support to families in the Wolli Creek area.”