|
In the Chair: President Jennifer Guest: Tanya McVittie 
Tanya McVittie is the Child and Family Health Nurse in Leeton. In introducing Tanya, President Jennifer noted that it is appropriate that is is appropriate that she is visiting our club this month because July is the Rotary Child and Maternal Health Month. Tanya is now based at Leeton District Hospital in Family and Health Services. She had 20 years’ experience in midwifery. She hailed from Balranald and went to Coleambally High School before studying nursing at CSU, Wagga. She met husband Craig when both were in the Army Reserve at CSU (a good way to supplement their income). She is the mother of 2 and a grandmother of one and a half. Her work entails helping children and their family from 6 weeks to 5 years. This is done in partnership with other organisations, and she refers to others about 130 times per year. Leeton has maintained the birth rate, but most births are referred to either Griffith or Wagga. Only the very lowest risk births take place in Leeton. Where once there were 130 births per year in Leeton, now there are about 20 -30. When a mother and baby leave hospital, they are presented with a ‘blue book’ that gives the details at birth but also provides a personal health record and advice and advice on vaccinations, feeding and sleep. With the help of Leeton Central Rotary, a package is provided for the Baby Book Start program. This is given to all new Mums and babies. It provides a little book and application for a library card. Family health nurses can no longer provide mother’s groups, but the library provides a great opportunity. 
Some babies are born into disadvantage and the family and community health service attempts to provide services and advice to narrow the gap – ‘it takes a community to raise a child’. Post natal depression now affects about 1 in 4 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers so this is an important role in the health service. Tanya was thanked on behalf of the club by President Jennifer. 
|
