ValleyCAT is a community access program delivered by children’s health charity Royal Far West (RFW) together with health care group Bupa using telecare to deliver health services to local kids, connecting them with specialist care via an interactive audio visual platform.

For parents like Michaela Fitzgerald and her 6 year-old son Kurtis, one-on-one specialist help has seen major improvement in his speech in six months.

Vital to the success of the trial is the community group steering it – spear-headed by Bowraville resident Jenny Zirkler, who first initiated discussions.

“I was the director of nursing at Macksville Hospital, so I knew our needs. While we might be close to major centres, we have less access to services,” Jenny said.

Bowraville Central School principal Malcolm McFarlane said support and intervention in the early stages could affect the learning outcomes and lives of children.