Five Brimbank schools have been chosen to be part of a state government trial to give students on-site access to doctors.
Copperfield College, Keilor Downs Secondary College, St Albans Secondary College, Victoria University Secondary College Brimbank and Braybrook College are among 100 schools to get a doctor posted on site one day each week, starting either first or third term next year, or term one in 2018.
Local GPs will provide students with referrals to specialists, as well as general medical advice.
The service will be free, and is part of a $43.8 million program that will also fit out some schools with modern consultation rooms, as required.
Braybrook College principal Kelly Panousieris said the school was thrilled it had been selected to be part of the program, which she hopes will provide help to the school’s Burmese students.
“We have a community of new arrivals and refugees, who we have guessed don’t really understand our [medical] system,” she said. “The Burmese community often delay getting a medical examination, so this will address that.”
Almost 170 Victorian government secondary schools were invited to apply.
Sunshine College was one of just 35 schools that submitted an application but missed out. Principal Tim Blunt said he was very keen to be involved and has asked why the school wasn’t selected.
Alexandra Laskie
