Parent Helpline

[Voice]

I started a Facebook page the other day due to the cutback to the Parent Helpline. I'm sure there's plenty of parents on here that would like to join the cause.
It has gotten 1000 likes in 4 days and has also started the media on the subject. I was on ABC radio this morning and some 'likers' have been interviewed for the channel 10 news tonight. If you have a Facebook page, I would appreciate you 'liking' the page as the more support we get, the more we can push the issue!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/page ... 2404778642

[Brodlach]

Just thought I would mention what I heard on Amanda Blairs show on 5AA.

She was talking to a lady,not from the government but someone who has something to do with this line. She mentioned that funding had not been cut but moved to other areas. Calls will still be taken throughout the night, but the call centre will not be based in SA. She mentioned that currently they were receiving only 2-3 calls per hour in SA and therefore it was more sensible and economic to combine with another call centre. Therefore the saved money will be moved to other areas.

We (my wife and I) have used this line in the past and it is a great help and should never be closed, but it does make a little sense if infact what this lady had to say is correct. Having more than one staff member through the night for 2-3 calls per hour (if correct) does seem a little expensive. Interstate people do not speak another language and will still be able to give good solid advice.

[Voice]

If you look at the posts on the Facebook page, you will realise that there is 40 minute waits with the service they transfer you to. Also they are RN's, not midwives so they generally can't help you with anything. I was on hold for 25 minutes the other night and had to hang up as I don't have a landline so couldn't afford to continue. We decided that it was best to go to the local emergency dept which is what most people will now do. Do you think this is something that is a good diversion of funds? Doubt it! It's also a drain on the already overrun emergency dept.

[Brodlach]

First of all I hope your child is now in good health (and always will be)

I can tell you though, there were times when we had to wait up to an hour on hold and over two hours for a call back and this was only a couple of years ago. My boy was fructose intollerant and for the first two years of his life screamed his guts out (nobody knew that was his problem) for 18 hours a day. I sometimes the media can be alarmist and it tends to snowball for no real reason. I too was angry at what is written in todays paper when I was reading it as the help line did really help us alot but after hearing this lady speak she made good sense with the facts she produced.

Sometimes these sort of facebook pages and comment pages, people dont tell 100% truths, they tend to embellish time etc.

[Voice]

Sorry to hear that your child was ill.
My lad is fine but being first time parents is why we need it. It's a helpline not a health line. A health line is what they now put you through to.
Parent Helpline is for support more than a medical diagnosis and as I said, if you would prefer to have the emergency dept clogged with people just wanting support and peace of mind rather than a phone line open, then i guess we have different priorties.

[MatteeG]

Brodlach you have always seemed like a good bloke, but listening to Amanda Blair? Ban him mods!

The Parent Helpline was a life saver for us for the last 6 months of last year. Bringing our first home, there were plenty of 'dumb' questions we wanted answers for at 2am, and they were able to provide it.

Be a shame if we go into the queue for an interstate line. 2-3 calls an hour, at least it meant they had plenty of time to talk to you. Im sure it would be much better to rush from one person to another just palming them off. Typical of our quantity over quality lifestyle.

Did they say what other areas the $$ saved were gonna be spent on Brodlach?

[Voice]

They haven't said what other ares they'll be spending the money on. I was on ABC Radio this morning and was supposed to be able to speak to Health Minister John Hill but his phone conveniently dropped out before I could ask him the question. I rang his office, they couldn't give me an answer ansd I also rang the head of Child, Youth Health, Kellie(?) Bowering (the lady Brodlach is referring to) and didn't get an answer there either.
What Brodlach has failed to mention is Kellie said CYH have entered into a partnership with HealthDirect. When she was asked about wait times with them she said "that's not something I can answer. You'll have to speak to them". Doesn't sound much like a partnership to me, sounds like a handball from her that Juddy would be proud of.

[whufc]

Great work Voice,

i dont have facebook but i got my wife to get amongst it, we have used the line a couple of times especially with my first child who really struggled with reflux and was not a very good sleeper.

Services like the parent helpline and the 'mother carer program' are essential especially for first time parents.

[Brodlach]

Brodlach you have always seemed like a good bloke, but listening to Amanda Blair? Ban him mods!

The Parent Helpline was a life saver for us for the last 6 months of last year. Bringing our first home, there were plenty of 'dumb' questions we wanted answers for at 2am, and they were able to provide it.

Be a shame if we go into the queue for an interstate line. 2-3 calls an hour, at least it meant they had plenty of time to talk to you. Im sure it would be much better to rush from one person to another just palming them off. Typical of our quantity over quality lifestyle.

Did they say what other areas the $$ saved were gonna be spent on Brodlach?

Thanks MatteeG, I certainly dont normally listen to her, just happened to be on that station when I jumped in the car. She didnt say where the extra dollars were going, Blair kept cutting her off. You are correct Voice, she did mention what you have said about wait times. She also said more staff would be used if there was a need too.

[Voice]

Cheers for that whufc. It's grown to well over 2000 likes now and doesn't look like stopping in a hurry. Many parents are very angry and it will be taken further during the week.

[fish]

I have never used the service but it was always nice to know that it was there if I needed it.

[fish]

There is a rally about this on Wednesday.

MUMS and dads are stepping up their fight to reinstate a 24-hour parent helpline, planning a rally outside Health Minister John Hill's office on Wednesday.

Organiser Tom Meschede expects about 200 parents at the rally to protest against cuts that mean those who call the helpline between 9.15pm and 7.15am are referred to a national call centre. Mothers say there can be waits of up to 40 minutes.

Support on Facebook has grown to 2200.

"We want to keep pushing the issue, to keep fighting and there's a big movement towards holding a rally, I've got a lot of messages about and we're expecting a good turnout," Mr Meschede said.

The rally will be held between 11am and 1pm at Hindmarsh Square in the city.

[southee]

Helped us alot....I have joined the group.

Having a 7 month daughter (with a few issues and our 1st) its wonderful no matter how stupid the question is...they are always there. Even had a cry on the phone.

I even told them my postcode before they asked me at the end......

Good people.

[Voice]

There is a rally about this on Wednesday.

MUMS and dads are stepping up their fight to reinstate a 24-hour parent helpline, planning a rally outside Health Minister John Hill's office on Wednesday.

Organiser Tom Meschede expects about 200 parents at the rally to protest against cuts that mean those who call the helpline between 9.15pm and 7.15am are referred to a national call centre. Mothers say there can be waits of up to 40 minutes.

Support on Facebook has grown to 2200.

"We want to keep pushing the issue, to keep fighting and there's a big movement towards holding a rally, I've got a lot of messages about and we're expecting a good turnout," Mr Meschede said.

The rally will be held between 11am and 1pm at Hindmarsh Square in the city.

Thanks for putting the link up fish. I'm the person they quote in the story and have organised the rally.
The event is up on facebook also http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/even ... 1074822908
and an online petition has also been set up with over 1000 signatures already http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/rei ... /sign.html