Keeping our Kids Healthy - Child Health
Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services (PAMS) provides comprehensive Child Health services to support the health, growth, and development of babies, children, and young people. We provide holistic, family-centred care that recognises the importance of children's physical, emotional, developmental, and social wellbeing while delivering culturally safe healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Our Child Health program focuses on early detection, prevention and ongoing care, helping children get the best possible start in life.
Our approach: we work in partnership with families to support every child's health and development. Our team provides culturally safe, respectful care and can work with other health professionals and services when additional support is needed to ensure children receive coordinated care close to home
What we offer
Our Child Health team delivers a range of essential services, including:
- Child health checks
- Immunisations
- School entry health assessments
- Hearing checks
- Developmental checks
These services support children’s physical, social and developmental wellbeing from birth through to adolescence.
What to Bring
- Your child's Medicare card (if available).
- Any referral letters, health records, or previous test results.
- Your child's Personal Health Record (purple Book), if you have one.
If your child does not have a Medicare card or you are unsure about eligibility, please contact the clinic before your appointment. Our team can discuss the options available and help you access appropriate care
What does a Child Health Nurse do?
A Child Health Nurse is a registered nurse with advanced knowledge and skills in the primary health care of infants, children and families. Child Health Nurses practice at an advanced level working in partnership with parents/caregivers to promote the health and development of the child and family unit This includes:
- Child growth and development
- Health promotion & health education • Infant mental health & the parent child relationship
- Adjusting to parenting support
- Breastfeeding support and education
- Infant and child nutrition Promotion and advocacy for immunisations
- In some jurisdictions (e.g. Rural and remote) additional health screening including vision, hearing health, anaemia and treatment and prophylactic treatment for RHD.
Who can access this service
The Child Health program is available for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
Fees
Child Health services may be covered by Medicare for eligible patients. PAMS is a bulk-billed facility , there is no out of pocket cost for medicare eligibles patients. If you have questions about Medicare or costs, please speak with our team.
Where services are provided
- Newman Clinic
- Remote community clinics (provided on a rotational basis)
Child Health services are also delivered to remote communities as we have dedicated Child Health Nurse in Jigalong who provide child care services to remote communities. Clinic staff can provide information about upcoming visit dates, available services, and how to book an appointment in your community.
Service hours
Services are available Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 4:30pm.
Funding partners
This program is supported through funding from IAHP and WACHS Healthy Country Kids.
How to access Child Health services
To make an appointment or find out more about Child Health services:
- Contact or walk in to the Newman Clinic
- Speak with staff at the Jigalong Clinic for remote community service
Parents, guardians, and carers are welcome to book appointments on behalf of a child. If you are unsure whether a referral is needed for a particular service, our team can advise you when you contact the clinic.
Our team is here to support families and ensure children receive timely, culturally appropriate healthcare close to home.