Doctors in Secondary Schools provides school-based health services for 100 Victorian secondary schools considered most in need: including 21 schools in the Murray PHN region.
Doctors in secondary schools map
Program aims
Doctors in Secondary Schools aims to provide equitable, accessible and professional primary healthcare services to young Victorians in secondary schools. The program complements existing student wellbeing programs aimed at improving health literacy and encouraging preventive health. It is funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training and implemented by Victoria’s six Primary Health Networks, with North Western Melbourne PHN as lead.
Its objectives are to:
make primary health care more accessible to students
provide assistance to young people to identify and address any health problems early
reduce the pressure on working parents and community-based GPs.
The Victorian Government has confirmed that the Doctors in Secondary Schools program will continue in an ongoing capacity, including $43.4 million worth of funding through to 2024. To learn more about the program, watch this video.
As part of the program, 100 Victorian government secondary schools have access to a GP trained in adolescent health, for up to one day per week. This service will be located onsite, as an in-reach service, providing medical advice and treatment to students enrolled in the participating school.
The program calls for a medical practice to nominate a general practitioner or eligible registrar to provide services in a ‘satellite clinic’ within the school for a period of four hours weekly. A practice nurse is also supported to spend a full day at the school.
To learn more about the program and the benefits of being involved, watch the new video below that features the Wedderburn College clinic and Dr Johanna Dennis and Practice Nurse Michelle Pascoe from Bendigo Community Health Services.
Medical centres Medical centres must be accredited against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Standards for General Practice. Practices that are accredited or registered for accreditation and committed to working with the school on an ongoing basis are encouraged to apply.
Practices are required to provide bulk-billing services for students, have a medical software program and have – or are willing to have – a clinical audit tool installed to record and report data.
All clinicians will be required to undertake a Working with Children Check and mandatory training, in-line with program requirements.
General practitioners The program requires GPs with:
a medical degree and licence to practice in Australia
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration with no restriction on scope of practice
experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
Practice nurses The program requires practice nurses with:
AHPRA registration
no restrictions on scope of practice in Australia.
To ensure participating schools can consistently offer this important service, a pool of interested general practices has been created. If you are a GP, nurse or general practice interested in being part of the Doctors in Secondary Schools program, fill in the online expression of interest form.
People who submit an expression of interest form will be contacted before vacancies are advertised.
To discuss your interest in the program or to ask questions about the EOI process, contact Natalie Tremellen, Murray PHN General Practice Engagement Lead e: ntremellen@murrayphn.org.au
Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).
We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.
We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Leadership 
Collaboration 
Respect 
Accountability 
Innovation 
