Schools in Bendigo to benefit from the program include Eaglehawk Secondary College, Weeroona College Bendigo and Crusoe College, along with Kyneton Secondary College and the Maryborough Education Centre.

KSC principal Mark Ridgeway said the service would help students whose parents’ work schedules made it difficult to attend appointments with their children, as well as those dealing with mental health issues or family violence.

“Certainly some of our kids come from difficult family backgrounds and the doctors service will provide a confidential service in school that they can access,” he said.

“We’ve had situations in the past where we’ve had to take kids to local doctors here in Kyneton for a range of reasons which they don’t want or need to let their families know about at the time, or it’s not appropriate for their families to know.”

Mr Ridgeway acknowledged some parents might have concerns about their child seeing a doctor without their consent, but said all students were entitled to appropriate medical care.

“We try and involve parents in medical concerns that we have with students, and encourage students to let their parents know, but there are situations where it’s not appropriate,” he said.

“Strictly speaking, they don’t need their parents’ consent as long as they can demonstrate they’re adept enough to actually make that decision for themselves.”

ESC principal Noel Claridge said he did not expect the program to replace the family GP, but provide another point of contact for students who had medical concerns.

“There are all sorts of reasons why people don’t have access to healthcare as they would like but issues of mental health are certainly one of those and there is some stigma attached to that so it’s great to bring the service into schools where adolescents might be more comfortable to use it,” he said.