In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

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You can book an appointment with one of our Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH) nurses and/or midwives for your child’s health check.

About this service

Our Maternal and Child Health professionals support parents with information and health advice. Our MACH staff are Registered Nurses and/or Midwives and hold additional qualifications in maternal, child and family health.

We offer booked appointments at a range of locations around Canberra. You can book an appointment for:

  • Child health checks
  • Other parenting issues or concerns you have for yourself or your baby.

Child health checks

We recommend regular health checks for your child to monitor their growth and development and offer early intervention for any concerns that may arise. You should book a health check at the following ages/milestones:

  • 0 to 4 weeks
  • 6 to 8 weeks
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 12 months
  • 18 months
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years or before starting school.

Follow-up appointments for other parenting issues

You can book an appointment for information and advice on:

  • Parenting
  • Child health
  • Breastfeeding
  • Nutrition and feeding issues
  • Keeping your child safe
  • Toddler behaviour issues
  • Adjustment to parenthood, and
  • Maternal emotional health.

Who we care for

Our service cares for children up to the age of 5 years, as well as support, education and information on all aspects of parenting.

Our services are free to Medicare and Asylum Seeker card holders.

How to access this service

To book an appointment for your child’s health check please call Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977.

To book a follow up appointment or for other parenting concerns you can call the Early Parenting Support phone line on (02) 5124 1775 anytime and leave a voicemail message with your name, your best contact number and reason for your call. One of our health professionals will call you back between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

What to expect

You will receive an SMS reminder with your appointment details. There is also space in your child’s personal health record or Blue Book to record details of upcoming appointments.

Your child’s ‘blue book’ has a series of questions for you to complete prior to each child health check. If you are unsure about how to answer, don’t worry, the Maternal and Child Health nurse/midwife can help you.

The Maternal and Child Health nurse/midwife will talk to you about your baby and child and discuss any concerns you might have.

The nurse/midwife will assess your child and measure their growth. You will be with your child the entire time.

The nurse/midwife will make a record of the assessment in your child’s blue book. If there are any concerns, they may ask you to make a follow up appointment or refer you to another service or health professional for follow-up.

What to bring to your appointment

  • Your child’s personal health record (Blue Book).

Where we’re located

Our Child Health Clinics are located at various sites across Canberra.

North Canberra

South Canberra

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In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

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Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week