By Tyler Wright and Renee Wood
Healesville parents are still looking for answers following the indefinite suspension on a local playgroup run by Eastern Health.
Every Friday, families would meet at 6 Vimy Ridge, Healesville from 10am-12pm, where parents and children could build connections while also gaining help for further medical referrals.
In early 2020, meetings were suspended due to the pandemic, but locals were left in the dark late last year when group gatherings were cancelled ‘indefinitely’.
In a statement sent to Star Mail December 2021, Eastern Health cited “changing restrictions” and department health protocols – such as temperature checking – as the primary reason for the closure of the group.
However, with no lockdowns or restrictions planned in the near future, and the continuation of other playgroups (also run by Eastern Health), locals are left frustrated and are missing the services the group provided.
Healesville mother of two Kristy Baglin initially joined the group with her son in 2017, and has struggled since its indefinite suspension.
“We miss the social interaction, and it’s hard trying to find different things for my son to do with other children, which can be difficult unless you want to travel,” she said.
“Petrol prices are so high, you don’t want to go to Lilydale to join something.
“It’s quite isolating, and after being isolated for the past two years – it’s kind of enough.”
After expressing her concerns to Eastern Health in December via a complaints email, Baglin received a response assuring her Healesville Hospital’s senior staff had been made aware of her feedback.
Despite this, and other submitted complaints from other group members, Eastern Health is still yet to provide further information on the Healesville meeting’s continual suspension.
“At first I was just like ‘oh, they’re passing it on and I’ll hear something soon – and then that didn’t happen,” Ms Baglin said.
“It’s just deflating, you just feel a bit defeated.”
In the past four months, Baglin has joined other community gatherings, but has not been able to receive support like she did from Eastern Health group coordinator Michelle, who was able to refer her to a physiotherapist.
Despite the suspension, the Healesville Playgroup is still listed on the Eastern Health website as a current ‘supported playgroup’ with no mention of a pause in the service.
Star Mail contacted Eastern Health for comment.
