A new Paediatric Clinical Care Coordinator role has been created at the Bowral Hospital thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Bowral District Children’s Foundation (BDCF). 

Featured Image: 2026 Bowral District Children’s Foundation Board

Written by Staff Writer, The Fold | June 3, 2026

Photography by @rachelwarephotography

Local healthcare professionals have seen a rise in young people presenting with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, learning difficulties, anxiety and other neurodevelopmental and neurodivergent challenges. Children can present with any combination of these and as such, families are often seeking a range of support services at once. This includes paediatric care, as well as allied health care such as psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and more. While service needs increase, wait times to see a local paediatrician or specialist health care professional can be as long as 9-13 months.

“Through ongoing conversations with clinicians, families, and Bowral Hospital, BDCF recognised there was a significant gap in support for families while children remained on waitlists or navigated multiple services,” said BDCF committee member Lindy Dowe.

“The role became a priority because it addresses not only access to care, but also the overall experience for families who are often trying to coordinate healthcare, school support and allied health services on their own.”

The Paediatric Clinical Care Coordinator will be the conduit between families in need and the healthcare services. The coordinator will work in partnership with the Bowral District Hospital Paediatricians and Administration, Allied Health Multidisciplinary Team and the wider community to ensure that each child has access to the care and intervention they need.

“The role will help provide a central point of connection for families, supporting communication between healthcare providers, schools and allied health professionals, while they are on a lengthy waitlist to see a paediatrician,” Ms Dowe continued.

2026 Bowral District Children’s Foundation Board

One of the challenges in providing consistent and timely care is the challenge we face in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in the region.

“For healthcare professionals, working in environments where demand consistently outweighs resources can contribute to workforce fatigue and make recruitment and retention more difficult,” Ms Dowe explained.

This is where roles such as the incoming Paediatric Clinical Care Coordinator come into play.

“These positions help create a more connected, collaborative and sustainable healthcare environment by improving communication between families, clinicians, schools and allied health providers, while also ensuring children receive earlier support and more coordinated care,” Ms Dowe continued.

“From BDCF’s perspective, funding this role is not only an investment in local children and families, but also an investment in strengthening the local healthcare system.”

This new role is just one of the many Highlands-based projects supported and funded by the BDCF. In the last two decades, the BDCF has raised and subsequently committed over $2 million towards health initiatives including funding salaries for much-needed health services, improved ante-natal facilities, mental health services and so much more. All of the incredible things BDCF has done for the community is thanks to “the generosity of local individuals, businesses, sponsors and event supporters who share a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families in the Southern Highlands”.

“Support from the community enables the foundation to continue investing in programs, equipment and services that improve access to healthcare and wellbeing support for young people across the region.”

BDCF runs several fundraisers throughout the year including the hotly anticipated annual Bowral Long Lunch. This year, the lunch will be held at 12pm on Sunday 26 July at the Stables,  Bendooley Estate. The event theme is “A Touch of Tartan”, and tickets are $220. There will be music and an auction at the event and funds raised will support the new Paediatric Clinical Care Coordinator.

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