07 Sep 2016 Yea Chronicle, Yea VIC (General News) STUDENTS at 15 Northern Victoria schools will have regular access to a doctor and the healthcare they need at school, Labor Upper House Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes announced today. The state government today announced the 100 schools taking part in the Doctors in Schools Program. Ms Symes said participating schools will partner with local doctors who will visit the schools for up to one day a week, with students able to get the advice, treatment and referrals to specialists they need. Half of the schools participating in the program are located in country Victoria, where families often face barriers to accessing healthcare. Having a doctor at their school will give students reliable healthcare, reduce the pressure on working parents and GPs, and help the students identify and address their health concerns early, Ms Symes said. Shadow Minister for Education, Nick Wakeling, is opposed to the plan, believing that the program risks alienating parents from the health and wellbeing of their own children. He said in a press release that once implemented, children as young as 12 will be able to access medical advice and treatment at school, including prescriptions for the contraceptive pill. He is seeking clarity on whether parents will provide consent or even have knowledge that their children will be accessing a doctor whilst at school, as well as whether the decision to have doctors attend schools will have input from the school leadership and the parent associations. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.