Dandenong secondary school students will have regular access to a doctor and the healthcare they need at school.

The Andrews Labor Government today announced the 100 schools taking part in the Doctors in Schools Program, with Dandenong High School, Lyndale Secondary College and Oakwood School Noble Park Campus, among the schools to get a GP under the scheme.

Participating schools will partner with local doctors who will visit the schools for up to one day a week, with students able to get referrals to specialists and the help they need before it affects their studies.

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.

Work is now under way on recruitment and training, building consultation rooms at schools and establishing partnerships with local healthcare providers so the program can start rolling out next year.

The program will be rolled out progressively in the 100 schools around the state from term one, 2017.

The Labor Government provided $43.8 million for Doctors in Secondary Schools in the Victorian Budget 2016/17, including $25.8 million for staff and operational costs and $18 million to build consultation rooms on school grounds.

The list of 100 schools taking part is available at:

www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/doctors-secondary-schools.aspx

Quotes attributable to Gabrielle Williams, Member for Dandenong:

“Having a doctor at their school will give Dandenong students reliable healthcare, reduce the pressure on working parents and GPs, and help the students identify and address their health concerns early.”

“Happy, healthy and resilient students learn better, stay in school longer and achieve more.”