The Healthy Kids Bus Stop offers check-ups and expert advice to the parents and guardians of toddlers. The series of examinations normally take two to three hours and it’s free.

It is designed as a way for children to be examined and tested from the basics like hearing, teeth and eye-sight to whether they need help in development as they approach school age.

The mobile clinic is part of an initiative to improve health in rural areas where, because distances to doctors and advice are greater than in cities, health issues can go undetected. The earlier they are tackled, the better.

The project is meant to bridge the gap between the better health of affluent city areas and rural communities where distances to advice or even doctors is greater.

The mobile clinic is scheduled to be at Glen Innes Public School on Monday, March 26, Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28.

Jennifer Goonan, the project coordinator, said: “We have nurses who will do a general health check”.

There’s a team of experts on teeth and on ears, a speech expert who can work out what’s best to help a child develop and an occupational therapist who is expert in the ability to move and coordinate movement as kids grow up.

There are also medical experts who can assess the stage of a child’s development to advise on what might be needed to improve it if it needs improving.

The aim is to assess and offer advice to parents and guardians. “We there to give access to parents so they have an opportunity to learn”.

Since 2014, the bus has visited more than 40 communities across NSW at least once, and screened more than 1,800 children. It is privately funded but works in close cooperation with the local health services, in this case Glen Innes Hospital.

There is follow-up once the mobile clinic has moved on. The project organisers say: “If there are any specific health issues that are identified at the Bus Stop, the health professionals will make referrals for further assessment.

“The health professionals will also assist with arranging a pathway to care, if required.

“Children identified with complex needs can also be referred to Royal Far West in Manly for an in-depth Multidisciplinary Assessment.”

How can you get your child checked?

“Register your child online via the Healthy Kids Bus Stop web page www.royalfarwest.org.au/healthy-kids-bus-stop “.