SUCCESS IN WA PILOT TO OBSERVE BABIES SHOWING DELAYS IN SOCIAL INTERACTION & COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT World-first program for babies delivered in partnership between the NDIA, The Kids and WA Health Services
SEGMENT
Filmed in Subiaco, Western Australia | January 2025
INTERVIEWS
Gemma Upson,
General Manager, CliniKids and Inklings
The Kids Research Institute Australia
Lindy Henry, Child Health Nurse and Inklings Practitioner
CliniKids at The Kids Research Institute Australia
Professor Andrew Whitehouse,
Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research,
The Kids Research Institute Australia
Inklings – led by The Kids Research Institute Australia – is a program for babies aged 6-18 months whose communications skills are developing differently to expected milestones. In early 2025 it has completed the first year of a pilot program.
At the time of filming (Nov 2024), Inklings has received more then 300 enquiries across WA and started to deliver services to 160 children, with almost 60 who have completed the program.
The world-first program for babies with delays in their social and communication skills was funded and launched in Western Australia in early 2024 in partnership with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), The Kids Research Institute Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) and WA Country Health Service.
The Inklings Program builds on landmark research conducted by The Kids Research Institute Australia, University of Manchester, La Trobe University and CAHS, which found improvements in parent-child interactions and children’s language skills.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, the Angela Wright Bennet Professor of Autism Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia, welcomed the Federal and State Governments’ support of Inklings at the launch in early 2024.
“It’s a great feeling to see translation of this life-changing research actually making a difference to families who need support so that each child has their very best chance to reach their potential,” Professor Whitehouse said.
“Inklings is all about helping every child reach their full potential, and our goal is to give this opportunity to as many babies as possible, both across WA and beyond.”
Inklings was launched in February 2024 by the Minister for the former NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten and Western Australian Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, WA Health.
And in November 2024, the program launched in regional and remote Western Australia, with two new delivery partners joining the Inklings Program.
Caregivers who live in WA can either be referred by a health professional or enquire direct to Inklings to see if they are eligible to participate.
Australian Health Journal spoke with the management and operational team supporting the program about its journey and success to date, including the upcoming South Australian implementation of the program.
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Interview with Kylie Ward, CEO Australian College of Nursing
Kylie Ward, CEO Australian College of Nursing spoke with Anne Dao from Australian Health Journal, at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week Expo on the vital role of the nursing professional.
Australian College of Nursing oversees 390,000 nurses in Australia and is the national leader in the nursing profession.
Changes in nursing policy are needed in areas of aged care, chronic disease and workforce sustainability. There are forecasts of shortages in nursing by the year 2025 of 80,000 and by 2030 the number growing by 125,000.
Kylie also mentioned the new Nursing Trailbrazers Award that has been recognised by Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt. The 4 finalists have been recognised for influencing models of care, and implementing game changing initiatives across the country. They will be presented at the Nursing Now Australia event held by the ACN on 9th April.
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Landmark Australian-led study revises thresholds to diagnose and treat anaemia
In 2014, WEHI researchers began a study at the request of the World Health Organization (WHO), to formally review its global anaemia guidelines that were last updated in 1968.
Study lead and Acting WEHI Deputy Director, Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha, speaking to Australian Health Journal said while anaemia can be diagnosed by measuring the amount of haemoglobin in the blood, there is currently no consensus on the thresholds that should be used to define the condition. -
Calls for National Social Prescribing Scheme
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) and Mental Health Australia are urging the government to implement a national social prescribing scheme to tackle Australia’s mental health and wellbeing crisis.
Mental ill health is a growing problem in Australia and has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2017, GPs across Australia have rated mental health as the most common presentation they see as part of the RACGP’s annual Health of the Nation survey. Approximately 20% of patients consult their GP for what are primarily social problems.
