Health promotion in Melbourne’s West aims to build healthier communities

Image of students of the medical faculty running the Teddy Bear Hospital pictured with children at Derrimut Primary School.
Medicine, dentistry and optometry students from the University of Melbourne will run a Teddy Bear Hospital at Derrimut Primary School.

University of Melbourne students will run a Teddy Bear Hospital and conduct health checks for children and their parents at Derrimut Primary School on Friday, 26 May as part of the Building Healthy Communities in Melbourne’s West project.

The project was established four years ago by Western Melbourne Regional Development Australia (WMRDA) after medical students based at the University’s Western Clinical School carried out health screenings in the local community and identified the need for health education and early intervention.

Funded by the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, the project is directed by a steering committee chaired by Bill Noonan with representatives from the University of Melbourne, the WMRDA, Brimbank City Council and Victoria Police.

Over 2000 screenings have been carried out in the four years.

“Risk factors for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental illness, are above the national average in Melbourne’s west," Mr Noonan said.

"Early intervention projects like this allow us to engage with local families to improve their health and wellbeing.

“The Teddy Bear Hospital is hugely popular and it helps to create a fun environment while we get serious messages across about how families can manage their health and access services available to the community.”

Medicine, dentistry and optometry students from the University of Melbourne will run the Teddy Bear Hospital, engage children in other fun activities aimed at improving health and wellbeing, and carry out health screenings.

Associate Professor Stephen Lew from the Western Clinical School said that students find the project very rewarding.

“As well as being hugely enjoyable, our students get a greater understanding of health issues in the community and how to build trust and rapport with children and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds,” Associate Professor Lew said.

“The majority of our students stay as interns at Western Health so this experience is invaluable.”

The event will also feature the Victoria Police Band and stalls from community organisations including IPC Health and the YMCA. The funding, design, and construction of a purpose-built sensory garden for the school’s prep children will also be announced.

Gabrielle Williams – Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Carers and Volunteers – will officially open proceedings.

Mayor of Brimbank Cr John Hedditch and North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network CEO Chris Carter will also speak.