Students will soon have access to doctors in a handful of inner-west high schools as part of a new state government program.
Footscray City College, Braybrook College, Bayside P-12 College and Laverton P-12 College are among 100 high schools taking part in Australia’s first round Doctors in Secondary Schools program.
Local doctors will visit schools up to one day a week, providing medical advice and referrals to specialists, as needed. The $43.8 million program includes $25.8 million for staff and operational costs, and $18 million to build consultation rooms within schools.
Premier Daniel Andrews said happy, healthy students learn better, stay in school longer and achieve more.
“We know that young people are the least likely to see a GP, so putting doctors in schools will make sure these kids have the access to healthcare they need.”
Opposition education spokesman Nick Wakeling said the program risks alienating parents from the health and wellbeing of their own children.
He expressed concern children as young as 12 would be able to access medical advice and treatment at school, including prescriptions for the contraceptive pill.
“Like the much maligned Safe Schools program, this is yet another example of Daniel Andrews thinking he knows better than parents.”
However Mr Andrews said the medical advice and treatment students will be able to access will be the same as that already available at medical clinics.
