This presentation explores the Narromine High School Wellbeing Hub, a pioneering initiative connecting families with comprehensive health services in a culturally safe, school-based setting. The Wellbeing Hub was established in response to the growing need for accessible child and adolescent healthcare in a regional NSW community. It serves as a welcoming space where students and their families can engage with medical professionals and school wellbeing staff, reducing barriers that often prevent access to essential health and social support.

A cornerstone of the program is the on-site paediatric clinic, facilitated by a private paediatrician from Sydney who visits Narromine High School annually for three days. During these visits, the paediatrician conducts thorough assessments and works collaboratively with the Wellbeing Nurse to develop care plans tailored to each student’s needs. To ensure continuity of care, the paediatrician offers telehealth follow-ups throughout the year. The Wellbeing Nurse plays a critical role in the program, liaising with families, coordinating follow-up actions, and maintaining communication between the school and healthcare providers. Families participate through a consent-based referral process, enabling effective and confidential information sharing.

Additionally, the presence of a General Practitioner (GP) on-site every Friday, in partnership with Narromine Medical Centre, provides students with ongoing medical support and early intervention when required. The Wellbeing Hub is designed to be culturally respectful, encouraging engagement from families of all backgrounds and fostering trust in the healthcare process.

Outcomes of the initiative include increased family participation, improved access to health, improved attendance, and stronger collaboration between educational and medical staff for improving post schooling outcomes. The Narromine High School Wellbeing Hub demonstrates how integrated, school-based health services can transform wellbeing for children and adolescents, offering a replicable model for other regional schools committed to supporting their communities.

Three Key Learnings:
1.Integrated School-Based Health Services: How embedding paediatric, nursing, and GP services within schools improves access and supports timely student health interventions.

2. Culturally Safe Family Engagement: The importance of creating a welcoming, respectful space that encourages family participation and enables consent-based information sharing.

3. Cross-Sector Collaboration: Effective coordination between schools, healthcare providers, and families is essential for delivering holistic care and improving health outcomes in regional communities.