Enhancing Paediatrics in Primary Care (EPiPC)
A scalable model of paediatric multidisciplinary care in regional New South Wales.
EPiPC is a major research program designed to improve access to screening, early identification and multidisciplinary care for children with developmental vulnerability in regional NSW. The project focuses on adapting and evaluating a scalable model of care that strengthens paediatric support within primary care.
The challenge
Children in rural and regional communities often face delays in access to developmental assessment and care. Families may need to navigate fragmented systems, travel long distances, and wait extended periods for support.
Our approach
The project will first adapt the EPiPC model into a more scalable and sustainable form, EPiPC-S, through co-design and mixed methods. It will then evaluate EPiPC-S through a hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster RCT in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
Key goals
- Improve timely access to developmental assessment and intervention.
- Increase service utilisation for children with developmental vulnerability.
- Improve child and family outcomes, including quality of life and parental distress.
- Improve healthcare experiences and reduce inequities in care.
- Assess cost-effectiveness, sustainability and scalability for broader rollout.
Evaluation & impact
EPiPC includes integrated impact, implementation and economic evaluation. Findings are intended to inform wider state and potentially national rollout.
- Publications
- Partners
- Timeline
- Funded by
- Our team
- UNSW, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University, Murrumbidgee PHN, Murrumbidgee LHD, Macquarie University, UTS and Child UnLimited.
- 2026 to 2029.
- Medical Research Future Fund, Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative - $1,994,203.