A new early intervention program has been launched in Mount Isa, aimed at providing essential support for high-risk infants. Led by physiotherapist Tyla Stallan, the initiative focuses on ensuring that vulnerable babies receive culturally appropriate and family-centered care at the Mount Isa Hospital’s Special Care Nursery.
Ms. Stallan, a proud First Nations graduate, has implemented a comprehensive screening process designed to identify high-risk infants. “I’ve always been passionate about supporting families from the very start,” she explained. The new criteria assess factors such as birth history, weight, gestation, and other early evaluations, ensuring that no child misses out on critical early support.
The screening process screens every baby in the Special Care Nursery. Those identified as high-risk are referred to the Physiotherapy and Child Development Service in Mount Isa and undergo assessments through the Queensland Early Detection Intervention Network (QEDIN). Eligible infants participate in the LEAP-CP study, which is a culturally adapted program that empowers families to aid their baby’s motor and cognitive development through everyday activities.
The intervention component of the LEAP-CP program offers 30 weekly home visits by a First Nations health worker. These visits focus on goal-oriented play, CP learning games, and educating caregivers about their child’s development. “This is an incredible opportunity to build something sustainable here in Mount Isa,” Ms. Stallan stated. She envisions a future where local First Nations health workers lead the delivery of the program, ensuring that care is both accessible and community-driven.
This initiative aligns with the Queensland government’s First 1000 Days initiative, which emphasizes the importance of early intervention and prevention in a child’s formative years. Families in Mount Isa are already noticing positive outcomes, with several high-risk infants identified and the first baby officially enrolled in the LEAP-CP pathway.
“This project feels like a full-circle moment for me,” Ms. Stallan reflected. She described her journey from a student in Townsville to leading a program that supports families in her community in just four years.
Lynette Stenhouse, Executive Director of Allied Health, praised the program for its community-centered approach. “Tyla has taken her own journey as a student and turned it into something that will shape services for years to come,” she noted. “This is exactly the type of innovation we need – culturally safe, evidence-based, and designed to be led locally into the future.”
By embedding early detection and intervention into the local healthcare framework, this initiative aims to foster the healthy development of babies in the North West. It sets a new standard for healthcare delivery in rural regions, ensuring that families receive the support they need to thrive.
