Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — (8117) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is that the minister funds the Doctors in Secondary Schools program for Craigieburn Secondary College and Mount Ridley College in the Yuroke electorate. Both schools have a large and diverse student body, with 771 enrolments at Craigieburn secondary and 1951 at Mount Ridley. There is no doubt that the Doctors in Secondary Schools program would benefit many hundreds of families in Craigieburn.

The provision of primary care and the ability to see a healthcare professional in a private and familiar setting is critical for young people. This is particularly important at schools that serve disadvantaged communities. While those schools go above and beyond for their students each day, sometimes a little extra help can make an enormous difference. I am delighted to support the applications by Craigieburn Secondary College and Mount Ridley College to take part in this important, life‑changing program, and I know how great it would be for students and the community if the Doctors in Secondary Schools program could be funded at these schools.

Response:

Thank you Ms Spence for your question on the Doctors in Secondary Schools program.

As you may be aware, on 1 September 2016 the Premier and I visited Mount Alexander College in Flemington, one of the Victorian secondary schools selected to participate in the program, to announce the full list of 100 participating schools. I am pleased to advise that both Craigieburn Secondary College and Mount Ridley College were selected to participate in the program. The Department of Education and Training will be contacting all participating schools with information on the program shortly.

Through the program, more than 70,000 Victorian students will have access to a doctor at their school. Half of the schools participating in the program are located in regional Victoria, where families often face barriers to accessing healthcare. A further 25 schools taking part in the program are located in Melbourne’s growth areas and urban fringe to help meet demand for services created by Victoria’s unprecedented population growth.
The full list of schools selected to participate in the program is available at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/d octors-secondary-schools.aspx.

I trust this information is of assistance.

The Hon James Merlino MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Education
Minister for Emergency Services