A step in the right direction
Southern Health helping children with a step in the right direction
Southern Health is launching a new paediatric footwear program to make sure children are not doing irreparable damage to the feet by wearing in incorrect shoes.Children spend around 30 hours a week in their school shoes - that's more than 15,000 hours during their school years.
Correctly fitted shoes help reduce the risk of injury, improve comfort and assist in gross motor development.
Southern Health’s Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Casey Community Health Services in conjunction with Bata School Shoes are launching the Paediatric Footwear Program.
Dr Terry Haines, Southern Health’s Director of Allied Health Research said the program would provide discounted correctly fitting footwear to paediatric patients of the community health services.
“Following recent footwear assessments in local schools an incidence of inappropriate footwear was noted. Children wearing footwear 2-3 sizes too big was reported by teachers to be causing falls during class and recess,” Dr Haines said.
“All of the shoes provided for the Paediatric Footwear Program are technically designed to ensure comfort and correct fitting. Bata Footwear have been incredibly generous in offering their product at a reduced cost for our clients.”
A podiatrist or allied health assistant will fit the child for the correct style and size to ensure support and comfort.
Bata School Shoes have been part of many Australian families for more than 40 years.
For more information contact Southern Health Senior Media Manager Suzana Talevski on 9594 2747 or 0409023936.