Child Health Program

Program Coordinator: Rebecca Cooney (Leave)
Katherine Office | P: 08 8971 9300 | M: N/A | E: rebecca.cooney@kwhb.com.au  

General Information

There areapproximately 900 children under the age of 15 years in the Katherine West Health Board region.
There are approximately 40 babies born each year.

This number is broken down into individual regions; 

The main health issues affecting children in the Katherine West Health Board Region are:

• Ear Disease
• Growth faltering and Failure to Thrive
• Anaemia
• Bronchiectasis
• Skin infections
• Dental caries
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Trachoma

Usual acute presentation of children include:

• Fever
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Ear disease
• Chest infections
• Diarrhoea and dehydration
• Skin infections

Less commonly:

• Urinary Tract Infections
• Acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN)
• Rheumatic fever and disease 

The Child Health Program at Katherine West consists of an under 5year old program, Immunisation Program and School Aged Children Program. The Under 5’s program monitors the health, growth and development of the child, promotes good nutrition, supports parents/carers in their parenting practices, and identifies issues and implements early intervention strategies, to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their growth and developmental potential.

KWHB Child Health program is divided into the following sections:

1. Health and development assessments- these are essential key ages for assessment
2. General health and growth assessments
3. Enhanced program for children and their families requiring extra support. Growth Action plans are instigated and continue until the child’s growth improves. Immunisation program runs in conjunction with the under 5 child health program. Key health and development assessments coincide with timing of immunisations.

School age children receive an annual school screening check annually. School aged screening focused eye, ear and skin health as well Hb screening and growth assessments for certain ages.

All children under 15 years old also receive an annual 715 Child Health Check performed by a GP. These checks are best completed with a key growth and development assessment in the under 5’s i.e. 1 year, 2 years, 3years, 4 years. School aged children can be focused on throughout the year although school holidays are a great time to access these children.