Mary Parks has told 3AW serious health issues are going to go undetected with the important checks not occurring — a decision she says she cannot understand.
Ms Parks told 3AW Mornings host Neil Mitchell that the checks being carried out until children are at least 3.5 years old was “so important”.
She said the checks looked out for signs of conditions, including jaundice in children and mastitis and post-natal depression in mothers, which occurred beyond the first eight weeks after birth.
“These mums are still vulnerable,” Ms Parks said.
“I know our health minister said they would still look after the vulnerable, well I believe every new baby and mother and father is vulnerable in the early days.”
Ms Parks said the appointments also looked out for signs of domestic violence.
“That’s another thing we’re going to miss out on,” she said.
Ms Parks said the decision seemed nonsensical.
“Under this Code Brown, why would you cut back a service that is trying to prevent hospitalisation?”
Dozens of Victorian parents have taken to social media to speak out against the decision.
“I haven’t been able to get my son in his six-month (check-up) despite having concerns and him being premature,” one mother shared on Facebook.
“This isn’t ok, kids will fall through the cracks.”
Another mother shared on Facebook that the repercussions of the decisions “will be felt for years to come”.
“How are we still cancelling maternal and child health nurse visits but I can go to Kmart, a gym, a shoe shop, doctor or anything else?”
Your COVID-19 questions answered
Parents with concerns about their children’s health, or their own health, are urged to contact their maternal health service or their GP.