Babies missing out on health checks in Melbourne due to Covid-related workforce shortages

Healthcare staff shortages mean two Melbourne councils are still limiting infant and maternal checks to babies under a certain age. Photograph: Robert Lang Photography/Getty Images

There are fears health issues in babies could be going undetected as infant and maternal health checks remain suspended in parts of Melbourne’s west due to a shortage of workers.

Early childhood and maternal care experts warned the ongoing limits to the free service meant some parents were relying on blogs instead to find health information about their child’s development.