Mrs Nichole Callan1, MS Mary Small1
1Little Wings, Bankstown, Australia, 2Western NSW LHD, Warren, Australia
Biography:
Nichole Callan is a Registered Nurse and Child Family Health Nurse, proud Gomeroi woman from Baradine, NSW, with over 30 years' experience in rural and remote communities. She is dedicated to child and family health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and expanding service access for children in remote areas. Nichole has helped deliver paediatric care through the Little Wings Medical wings program, and increased Aboriginal family engagement via the Bellies and New Life project. Her efforts earned her the Community Award at the NSWNMA Stronger Together awards for improving rural and remote health outcomes.
Abstract:
Children living in Western NSW have long encountered significant obstacles in accessing paediatric healthcare, especially for developmental delay and behavioural concerns. These barriers have contributed to a pronounced gap in care for some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
This unmet need was clearly evident in early 2023. The Child and Family Health Nurse (CFHN) attempted to arrange a paediatric appointment for a two-year-old child experiencing severe behavioural challenges. Despite concerted efforts, it was not possible to secure an appointment anywhere within the region, underscoring the lack of accessible specialist services.
To address this urgent issue, CFHN worked with Aboriginal elders, local health and community services, the Royal Flying Doctors Service nurse, and Little Wings charity. They established a community-led monthly fly-in–fly-out (FIFO) paediatric service, designed to meet local needs and delivered at no cost to families. This model uses local partnerships to improve paediatric healthcare and help families overcome barriers to timely care.
Since its launch in February 2025, the monthly FIFO paediatric service has made significant strides in addressing the healthcare needs of children in Western NSW. The service has assessed 32 out of 48 children on the waitlist, providing timely support to families who needed care. Twenty-four assessed children identified as Aboriginal, highlighting unmet community needs and the need for culturally safe, family-centred care. The service places a strong emphasis on prioritising children aged 0–5 years, Aboriginal families as part of the Closing the Gap initiative, and children with complex developmental or behavioural needs.
By focusing on these priorities, the model stands as a scalable and sustainable approach to improving access to paediatric healthcare in rural and remote areas. It offers a promising pathway toward ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances or geographical location, receives the high-quality care they deserve.