Photo caption: Opening the Tresillian Armidale Family Care Centre last September, Tresillian CEO Rob Mills, left, Inverell Tresillian 2U provider Kirsty Wall, Tresillian Armidale Manager Trudie Laffan and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has pressed Health Minister Ryan Park in State Parliament about keeping the Tresillian Armidale Family Care Centre open with continued funding into next financial year.
Mr Marshall, who put down a question on the notice paper in State Parliament yesterday, said the Tresillian Armidale Family Care Centre was an essential service for families in the region and had to be kept open.
“Tresillian opened its doors in Armidale last September and has been providing an essential face-to-face innovative early parenting service to families in the Armidale and Inverell districts,” Mr Marshall said.
“The centre combines the expertise of early parenting care network Tresillian with mental health clinicians from Gidget Foundation Australia to help parents and families after the birth of a child.
“The former State Government allocated $12.2 million in last year’s Budget to establish six new day service centres, including one in Armidale, to improve access to breastfeeding support, infant settling and sleep issues, and peri-natal anxiety and depression assistance.
“That operational funding for the Tresillian Family Care Centre is set to expire on 30 June 2023 and without continued funding, could be forced to close.
“As at this stage, despite making a request to the new government, Tresillian has not been advised whether its funding will continue, which is extremely concerning and distressing for staff and local families.
“Time is fast running out, which is why I have asked the Minister for Health to assure me that the funding will be continued, or if not, how and when the government will notify staff, families and the local community about the closure of the service.”
Mr Marshall said Tresillian offered a range of programs to support parents experiencing challenges in the early parenting period including feeding, sleeping, managing an unsettled baby and family wellbeing and support.
“The support and advice Tresillian gives to families cannot be understated,” Mr Marshall said.
“Many local families have used Tresillian and many more currently rely on its support, not to mention those soon-to-be parents who would benefit too.
“Tresillian and I will be eagerly waiting the Minister’s response.”
The Minister for Health has 35 calendar days to respond in writing to the Parliament to Mr Marshall’s question.
My question is to the Minister for Health:
In relation to the Tresillian Family Care Centre in Armidale
- Will operational funding for the Tresillian Family Care Centre in Armidale will be continued after 30 June 2023?
- If not, how and when will the government notify staff, families associated with the Centre and the community about the closure of the service?
23 May 2023