Bree steps up to Richmond child health role

Clinical nurse consultant Bree Burry is the new child health nurse for the Richmond Multipurpose Health Service.

A familiar face in the Richmond community, Ms Burry stepped up to fill the vital role recently.

The appointment marks a major milestone for the community, which has relied on a fly-in service from Townsville.

Ms Burry said her appointment meant Richmond parents would no longer have to try to align their schedules to the fly-in visit from a child health nurse.

“The visits made organising milestone checks and tracking immunisation windows incredibly difficult for parents having to manage busy schedules and property life,” Ms Burry said.

“Having someone here week in, week out makes it so much easier for parents to work round their own schedules.

“Being a mum out here myself, I know how hard it was to coordinate immunisations when you’re a week out from when the nurse was visiting.

“Living locally has already proven beneficial for building trust, breaking down isolation, and catching developmental delays early.

“When you see them weekly or fortnightly instead of waiting an entire month, tracking progress is much easier.

Libby Chylewski, a mum of three, said it was very reassuring for parents to have a child health nurse based in the community.

“It honestly is such a fantastic resource to have, and it is comforting to have someone familiar to you available to chat with you about any questions you might have about your child,” Ms Chylewski said.

“I saw the visiting child health nurse with my first two kids and, while it was good, it has been much more reassuring for me to have someone who is a familiar face based in Richmond supporting the other parents and me.

“If we have any questions, we can go to the hospital to see Bree. “Bree also comes along to playgroups to talk with parents and make them feel supported.

“Having someone like Bree based in Richmond is a fantastic thing for the community, and we are very lucky to have her.”