Expansion of call centre services for kids

The success and well-deserved reputation of the after hours parent support line provided by John Hunter Children’s Hospital has led the way for its inclusion in a National Health Call Centre.

John Hunter Children’s Hospital Director Ms Pat Marks said local nursing staff have provided a fantastic service to local families through the Kids Kare Line over the past 15 years.

“There are many families who value this service, as it is reassuring to know that there is someone you can talk to for professional child health advice after hours,” she said.

The nursing staff who operated the Kids Kare Line provided the Hunter community with a vital support service between the hours of 2.30pm and 11pm, seven days a week.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of our local staff in establishing and operating this service as it makes the transition to a national operation,” Ms Marks said.

From late August 2008, the Kids Kare Line will be expanded into a full health call centre operation when it is taken into the National Health Call Centre Network, operating as healthdirect Australia.

healthdirect Australia is an initiative of the Australian, ACT, NSW, NT, SA, and WA Governments and will provide health advice and information for both adults and children.

Calls to Kids Kare Line will be automatically switched through to healthdirect Australia from 26 August 2008.

“The National Health Call Centre Network builds, and expands on phone advice lines such as Kids Kare Line in that it will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week,” Ms Marks said.

Parents and carers can expect to receive the same level of expert advice from registered nurses on child health issues at any time of the day or night.

“I am confident that parents and carers seeking health advice will be well supported by healthdirect Australia,” Ms Marks said.

“The expert registered nurses taking the calls will be able to provide advice on what to do and give details of which local health service to attend if a face-to-face consultation is needed,” she said.

A full roll out of healthdirect Australia – including the new hotline number- will take place in the Hunter New England region in April next year, with an information package to be delivered to all households and general practices.

Up until that time, the Kids Kare Line number (4921 2800) can be used by parents and carers to access the new healthdirect Australia service.

Media inquiries:
Colleen Crowe - 02 4921 4492, 0408 668976 (ref HNE-1498)