Council to boost paediatric healthcare access for Frankston children

Published on 15 August 2025

Frankston’s most vulnerable children will benefit from better access to healthcare, thanks to a $40,000 grant from Frankston City Council to Menzies: Caring For Kids.

The funding will support the development of a sustainable model for school-based paediatric clinics (SBPCs), aimed at reaching children who may otherwise miss out on critical care.

School-based clinics are backed by the World Health Organization as effective environments for delivering healthcare to children, with research showing the onsite clinics improve health and education outcomes, reduce absenteeism, and enable early intervention.

Menzies: Caring For Kids President Kevin Johnson said ongoing investment in SBPCs will also support research into the long-term impact of these services, helping to build a sustainable pathway to healthcare for the children who need it most.

“Many children from low socioeconomic backgrounds don’t see a general practitioner, let alone a paediatrician,” said Mr Johnson. “Funding towards this program will help change that.”

Menzies: Caring For Kids supports young people in Frankston and across the Mornington Peninsula by investing in programs that create opportunities for some of the region’s most disadvantaged children.

Since 2017, the organisation has delivered over 7,600 free paediatric appointments and facilitated more than 2,200 case conferences involving paediatricians, teachers, and allied health professionals—ensuring coordinated, wraparound care.

Deputy Mayor Cr Steffie Conroy said Council is proud to support a program that ensures no child is left behind.

“The Paediatricians in Schools initiative is about ensuring all children—regardless of their background—can access the healthcare they need to thrive,” she said. “Menzies continues to do incredible work in our community, particularly in Frankston North, and this grant is about building on that success.”

The grant comes at a time when Council is ramping up community resilience and social support programs as part of its Stronger Together 2025–2026 Annual Budget, which was endorsed last month.

Alongside a $72 million capital works program supporting the city’s continued growth and transformation, the budget also includes a dedicated Local Support Package that will deliver targeted relief and support for the community by easing cost-of-living pressures, backing local businesses, improving community safety and investing in essential services.

“We’re in the midst of a city-wide transformation, but as we grow, we must continue to support our most vulnerable,” Deputy Mayor Conroy said. “It’s about building for the future, but ensuring we deliver services our community needs most—right now.”

To learn more about Menzies: Caring For Kids or to support their work, visit: http://menzies.org.au/how-you-can-help/

For more information on Frankston City Council’s Local Support Package visit: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Council/Frankston-priorities-and-strategies/Council-Plan-and-Budget