Adolescent Health
Doctors in Schools
Greater Shepparton Secondary College is very fortunate to have Princess Park Clinic providing a Doctors in Secondary School Program (DISS). This program offers all secondary students’ free access to primary health care at school or via telehealth.
The General Practitioner will provide students with the same services at the school as those provided by GPs in the community, including management of physical health, mental health, sexual and reproductive health issues, and make referrals to other health services as required. GPs may also deliver services via telehealth when remote service provision is required, and where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
By having the Doctors in Secondary Schools program at GSSC we are reducing many barriers that students face in being able to access primary health care for example: out-of-pocket costs, transport to a medical centre and inconvenient appointment times.
Students may access this free & confidential service by placing their name on the DISS waitlist at their house reception. Students are not required to disclose why they are wanting to access the DISS program and reception staff will not discuss the students request with general school personnel. The DISS waitlist will be managed by the school’s wellbeing services leader in conjunction with the adolescent health nurse and first aid officer.
Parents can encourage their child to access the service if they know that their child needs primary health care. More information on consent and confidentiality can be found here:
The DISS will operate from The Wellbeing and Inclusion Hub weekly during school terms each Wednesday 9am to 1pm, commencing Wednesday 2 March.
Paediatric Clinic
GSSC is committed to providing high quality support to enhance our student’s wellbeing and engagement in education. To enhance this a paediatric clinic will be available at GSSC that focusses on diagnosing, treating and caring for adolescents with health disorders.
Dr Herath Wataliyadda will be providing paediatric care. Dr Wataliyadda has nearly two decades of experience in Paediatrics and holds Fellowships from the United Kingdom and Australia. Dr. Wataliyadda has a holistic approach towards her patients and families, and firmly believes in a multi-disciplinary team based, tailor made approach in treating her patients.
Dr Wataliyadda is passionate and competent in dealing with all childhood and adolescent medical and behavioural issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Difficulties, Developmental Delays and Migrant Health Issues.
The paediatric clinic will occur weekly on Tuesday mornings and operate from the Wellbeing Hub. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for students (families) accessing this service at GSSC.
Families will be an integral part of the clinics success and be invited to attend the school when their child’s appointment is scheduled. The initial appointment will typically be an hour in length which allows families to fully explain their child’s complaints and express any concerns.
If you would like to access the GSSC paediatric service, please have your GP make a referral to Dr Wataliyadda.
If you would like further information on the paediatric clinic or how to access this service please contact Robyn McCully, Wellbeing Services Leader.
Dr Herath Wataliyadda