The NSW Health First 2000 Days Framework policy guides maternity, child and family health services. The Western NSW LHD offers services that can either be provided face-to-face or virtual appointments where appropriate.
Pregnancy, birth and baby services
Western NSW (LHD) offers many ways to access maternity care, find out more about our pregnancy, birth and baby services.
Breastfeeding support in Western NSW
Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start in life, but it is not always easy. Western NSW Local Health District has support services available to assist women with their breastfeeding journey.
Find out more about Breastfeeding support in Western NSW.
Paediatric services
Services for families with children from birth to 5 years
Child and family health nurses provide a free service for families with children from birth to 5 years of age. These services are usually provided in your home or a clinic at your local Community Health Centre.
Your local child and family health nurse will contact you following the birth of your baby and offer you a home visit. The Blue Book is a resource that will be given to you after your child’s birth and will assist you to complete the 1-4 week child health checks.
Find your Local Child and Family Health Nurse.
Western NSW LHD offers the following care options:
The child and family health nurse will track your child’s growth and development during your child's routine health and development checks at 6-8 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 and 4 years. The Blue Book is a resource that will assist with keeping track of your child’s progress. These check-ups will inform you about how your child is growing and help find any possible problems early. Find more information about child health and development.
Our child and family health nurses can provide support and advice with breastfeeding. Find other breastfeeding support services.
You can also call the Breastfeeding Helpline, a free 24-hour service on 1800 686 268.
Some of our Community Health Centres provide groups for new parents. Contact your local child and family health nurse to ask about groups near you.
Vaccinating your child on time is the best way to help protect them against preventable and serious diseases. Contact your local child and family health nurse to make an appointment. Visit Save The Date To Vaccinate for more useful resources and information.
Paediatric services by location
Western NSW Local Health District offers a number of paediatric services to its local communities.
Bathurst Health Service offers acute medical and surgical paediatric services, a dedicated paediatric inpatient unit, paediatric generalist and specialist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 6330 5311
Cowra Hospital Paediatric Service offers acute medical services, occasional paediatric generalist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 5338 5500
Dubbo Health Service offers acute medical and surgical paediatric services, a dedicated paediatric inpatient unit, paediatric generalist and specialist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 6809 6809
Forbes Hospital Paediatric Service offers acute medical services, occasional paediatric generalist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 6850 2000
Parkes Hospital Paediatric Service offers acute medical services, occasional paediatric generalist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 6861 2400
The Paediatric Unit offers acute medical and surgical services (some elective ear, nose and throat services), occasional paediatric generalist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 6371 9700
Orange Health Service offers acute medical and surgical paediatric services, a dedicated paediatric inpatient unit, paediatric generalist and specialist clinics and paediatric ambulatory care services.
Phone: (02) 6369 3000
Acute emergency and stabilisation service and transfer to a high-level service.
Some facilities have occasional visiting paediatric generalist.
Find child and family health services
Use our Service Directory to find a health service near you.
Paediatric care coordination
Western NSW LHD has a care coordination service (Rural Kids GPS) to support children with medical complexities and their families.
The service works closely with the family and their healthcare teams to meet the needs of the child. Receive support such as appointment coordination, shared care plans, and facilitating education and training for local staff.
Children and young people aged 0 to 18 and who meet one or more of the following criteria may be eligible for this service:
- a diagnosis expected to last at least 12 months
- presented to an Emergency Department on 2 or more occasions in the last 6 months
- admitted to hospital for seven days or more in the last 6 months
- had five or more outpatient appointments in the last 6 months.
If your child is eligible for this service and would benefit from the support of the care coordination service, please discuss with your local paediatrician or general practitioner for a referral.
You can self-refer to the service by emailing the Paediatric Care Coordinator at WNSWLHD-RuralKidsGPS@health.nsw.gov.au