Health Minister Visits New Kids Compass Clinic NSW Minister for Health, Ryan
in a single, family-centred setting, reducing the number of separate appointments families need to navigate. Staff will also assist families to access early supports and, where appropriate, NDIS-funded services. The Kids Compass clinics will operate once a month across three locations: Hornsby Child and Family Health Centre, Dalwood Children’s Community Health, and Royal North Shore Community Health Centre.
Park, visited the Royal North Shore Community Health Centre recently to meet two allied health clinicians working on an important new early childhood initiative. Senior children’s speech pathologist, Rachel Hansen, and senior children’s occupational therapist, Frances Morgan will work in the newly established Kids Compass Clinic, an allied health-led service set to welcome its first clients this year. The clinic will support young children aged 18 months and older who are showing signs of emerging neurodiversity and who are not yet meeting key developmental milestones or eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Working closely with local speech pathology and occupational therapy services, the clinic will identify toddlers and young children from existing waiting lists who may benefit from additional support. The aim is to help children build foundational skills during the crucial first 2000 days of life, when brain development is most rapid. The Kids Compass model brings together multidisciplinary assessment and short-term allied health therapy recognises the vital contributions of nurse practitioners across Australia. nurse practitioners are highly skilled registered nurses endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. They have completed advanced university studies at the Master’s level, earning the title of the most senior and independent clinical nurses in Australia’s healthcare system. Only individuals endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia can use the title Nurse Practitioner. Across NSLHD, there are 30 nurse practitioners, six transitional practitioners, and 12 registered nurses
Left to right Frances Morgan, Minister Park, Rachel Hansen
Strength to Strength – 25 Years of Nurse Practitioner Care Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrated globally from 9–15 December,
completing their master’s degrees. the district welcomed two new nurse practitioners in 2025: Carmen Sanchez in Palliative Care at PACH and Katie Kelleway in ICU at RNSH. Funding has also been secured for two additional ICU nurse practitioners at RNSH, enabling a fully nurse practitioner-led service, a first in Australia. Adjunct Professor Claire Harris, NSLHD Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery highlighted the importance of Nurse Practitioners “Our nurse practitioners, transitional practitioners, and Masters-level nurses are driving innovation and delivering expert care that makes a real difference for patients and their families,” she said.
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 23| 19 DECEMBER 2025
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