Maternal and Child Health Service
The Council's Maternal and Child Health Service is a family-centred, primary health service that has a strong focus on promotion, prevention, early detection and intervention to improve health and developmental outcomes for young children and their families.
The service is available to all families within the municipality who have children aged from birth to school entry age. There is no cost for this service.
Who are Maternal and Child Health Nurses?
Maternal and Child Health Nurses are registered nurses and midwives who have postgraduate qualifications in child, family and community health.
They have the expertise to promote health through early detection of family health issues and problems as they arise.
They work closely with other health and support services and are able to link or refer families to other relevant health and welfare organisations for early intervention and specialist assistance.
Your child’s health and development is monitored at the following ages:
- 2 weeks and 4 weeks;
- 8 weeks and 4 months;
- 8 months and 12 months;
- 18 months and 2 years; and
- 3.5 years.
Additional centre or home visits are given for families with particular needs.
For all appointments or cancellations please call our central booking line on 9932 1300 from Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 3.00pm.
Victorian Government operates a Maternal and Child Health Line which is available 24 hours, 7 days per week on 132 229 to support parents when the local service is unavailable.
What services are provided?
The service provides a wide range of information, advice and support about children's, women's and family health issues.
These include but are not limited to:
- Breastfeeding and formula feeding;
- Nutrition through all stages;
- Immunisation;
- Family planning;
- Physical and emotional changes following child birth;
- Adjusting to parenthood;
- Changing relationships within the family;
- Sleep and settling difficulties;
- Child and health development;
- Parenting strategies;
- Childhood illness;
- Child safety and injury prevention;
- Parent groups;
- Postnatal depression screening; and
- Evening sessions at some designated centres.
Open sessions
- Tuesday: 105 Ferguson Street, Williamstown 9.00am - 12.00pm
- Tuesday: 11 Mason Street, Newport 2.00pm - 4.00pm
- Wednesday: 10 Russell Court, Altona Meadows 1.30pm - 4.00pm (includes breast feeding support)
Breast feeding support service
This service is available by appointment only during school terms.
- Monday 1.30pm - 4.00pm at Williamstown Maternal and Child Health Centre (please ring 9932 1300 to book or talk to your local nurse)
Enhanced Maternal and Child Health (EMCH)
This is an outreach service which provides a more focused and intensive level of support for vulnerable families experiencing early parenting difficulties
Centre locations
*Denotes part-time centre.
Contact details
Maternal and child health coordinators and administration can be contacted on 9932 1000.