PEAK BODY IN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES URGES PRIORITISING HEALTHCARE FOR KIDS IN CARE Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare calls on Government and Industry to improve health access
With
Deb Tsorbaris, CEO
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare &
Chair, Families Australia
Australian Health Journal segment
Filmed in Melbourne | April 2025
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) is calling on the Australian Government to prioritise healthcare access for children in out-of-home care.
“We have many amazing young people in care with huge potential, but they’re not set up for success,” said Deb Tsorbaris, CEO “Young people and workers tell us that access to health and education assessments is a huge disadvantage.”
“Children and young people in out-of-home care face significantly higher physical, mental, and developmental health challenges than their peers, yet, many struggle to access the healthcare they require, leading to long-term chronic conditions, particularly in rural and regional areas where primary healthcare services are limited.”
The Centre has joined Families Australia and the National Foster Care Sustainability Group in calling for a prioritising medical, therapeutic, and developmental support for children and young people until the age of 21.
A 2022 study of over 6,000 children in foster or kinship care found that only 41 children had attended all their recommended health check-ups (https://ccch.org.au/resource-hub/reports/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-children-in-australian-early-childhood-education-and-care/). The Victorian Government has invested $37.8 million in targeted health programs for children in care, but more needs to be done nationally.
“Programs like Victoria’s Pathway to Good Health and Tasmania’s Kids Care Clinics have made significant strides, but children in care deserve a consistent, nationwide approach,” said Tsorbaris.
Between one-third and one-half of children in care have a disability, yet many enter the system undiagnosed. Foster carers struggle to access financial, emotional, and practical support for children with additional needs. Meanwhile, public system waitlists for paediatric, dental, and specialist services leave many children without critical care.
“Children in care are more likely to experience undiagnosed disabilities and mental health challenges,” said Tsorbaris. “Without early diagnosis and intervention, they face compounding barriers to health, education, and independence.
Children with complex medical and developmental needs, require increased investment in trauma-informed paediatric healthcare to support them in their care experience, and better record-keeping and health navigation services to ensure continuity of care, even when they move placements.
“We know the gaps between children in care and their peers in education and health are well-documented,” said Tsorbaris. “It’s time for federal and state governments to step up with a national approach that guarantees children in care the health support they need to thrive.”
For more information visit https://www.cfecfw.org.au
Source: Adapted from media release
-
Career advice from an Emergency Physician in Research
Associate Professor Viet Tran, an experienced emergency physician at the Royal Hobart Hospital. He spoke with Australian Health Journal about the crucial role of emergency departments as the frontline of hospitals, providing immediate care, diagnosis, resuscitation, and serving as a safety net for the healthcare system. Prof. Tran highlights the importance of understanding the daily responsibilities and core aspects of a specialty when choosing a medical career.
-
Using human skin hair follicles to treat Alzheimer’s disease
Professor Michael Valenzuela is a science opinion leader, innovator and creative thinker with a career-long commitment to the prevention and treatment of dementia.
Following that he completed graduate medicine and medical training at the Prince of Wales Hospital. In 2012, he established the Regenerative Neuroscience Group at the University of Sydney, and in 2017 became the university’s first Professor of Regenerative Medicine.
Professor Valenzuela’s group discovered a new cell type with potential for regenerative medicine, a rare neural precursor cell found deep within the human hair follicle. He is the main inventor on several related patents and is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Skin2Neuron – a biotech company developing the first neurorestorative cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease based on this work.
-
Funding roadblocks creating digital health inequity
Helen Souris, CEO and Executive Director of Cardihab and Chair of the Digital Health Advisory Group at the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), highlights the significant gap in cardiac rehabilitation access across Australia. Despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation in improving survival, quality of life, and reducing hospital admissions, around 80% of eligible patients do not receive this care, with access rates even lower in regional and rural communities.
