Benalla P-12 College is part of the Doctors in Secondary Schools Program, which means an adolescent-trained GP (General Practitioner) Dr Fleur Christopheson and Dr Geneveive Commins from Benalla Church Street Surgery will be operating on school grounds each Tuesday from 9:00am to 12:30pm to provide free access to primary health care for secondary students at our school. As part of the Doctors in Schools program, students also have the opportunity to make an appointment with visiting Nurse, Shellie Davis. Students can make appointments directly with Shellie every Tuesday at the School’s Dr Surgery.
Appointments can be scheduled by phone call or text message on 0427752398.
Alternatively, you can contact Kaitlyn Smith at kaitlyn.smith@benallap12.vic.edu.au who will arrange a suitable time.
Program Introduction
This program is not designed to replace any existing medical arrangements your family may have in place. The GP in the school can provide a convenient alternative to primary care within school’s hours, and encourage health care access to those students without an existing relationship with a GP.
The program is intended to provide better access to primary care for secondary school students. Therefore, parents, carers, guardians and other family members are not able to use this service at this time.
All GPs in this program will undergo adolescent health training and will understand the health and wellbeing needs of teenagers.
Acessing the GP
Generally, all students can make an appointment to see the GP. Victorian law is clear on how and when students can consent for medical treatment by a GP:
* Students who are mature minors can consent to their own medical treatment
* Students who are not mature minors cannot give consent to their own medical treatment.
Mature minors are students under the age of 18 years who are deemed capable of seeking and obtaining health care for their particular medical issue. The GP will assess if a student is a mature minor with respect to the issue for which they are seeking medical treatment.
If the GP considers your child is a mature minor, they may see them without you. The GP will often encourage your child to involve you in their care, and GPs understand you are an important source of information and support for your child when it comes to their health. If the GP thinks your student is not a mature minor, your consent will be sought if the student wishes to progress with the treatment.
More information on consent, confidentiality and medical treatment by a GP is included in the information sheet, which is on the Doctors in Secondary Schools webpage at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/doctors-secondary-schools.aspxt
If you have any concerns or questions about the Doctors in Secondary School program, you can discuss them with Kaitlyn Smith at the College.