Media release: Move to increase access to GPs for teenagers welcomed by local health network

06 September, 2016

Eastern Melbourne PHN (EMPHN) has welcomed the announcement of the Doctors in Secondary Schools Initiative by The State Minister for Education, James Merlino.

The initiative will fund a new trial for general practitioners (GPs) to attend up to 100 Victorian government secondary schools up to one day a week to provide medical advice and health care to those students who might not have the same access to doctors as others. The pilot will be rolled out over two years.

EMPHN Executive Director Primary Care Services, Martin Wilkinson said the initiative will support improved access to primary health care for young people.

‘The Victorian Government has taken a valuable step to increase access for young people to primary health care and we look forward to working with schools and general practice to ensure the success  of this trial.

‘We are very happy to see 12 schools selected in eastern and north eastern Melbourne. Our strong relationships with local GPs who will go into those schools will be an important factor in the success of this initiative.’

The 12 schools in Eastern Melbourne PHN’s area include:

  • Bayswater Secondary College

  • Boronia K-12 College 

  • Charles La Trobe P-12 College- Mcleod (shared with North Western Melbourne PHN)
  • Croydon Community School
  • Healesville High School
  • Lalor North Secondary College
  • Melba Secondary College
  • Scoresby Secondary College
  • Upper Yarra Secondary College
  • Wallan Secondary College
  • Whittlesea Secondary College
  • Yarra Hills Secondary College – Mooroolbark Campus

We will be working with these schools and local GPs as the initiative is rolled out across Melbourne.

For more information on the initiative, please visit the Department of Education and Training website