DiSS ensures that a GP and practice nurse are present weekly during school terms at 100 Victorian secondary schools identified as most in need. The program complements student wellbeing initiatives by improving access to healthcare, promoting preventative health, and enhancing health literacy.

Since its inception in 2017, all six Victorian Primary Health Networks (PHNs) have been involved in commissioning general practices to deliver DiSS services in selected schools. South Eastern Melbourne PHN (SEMPHN) has played a key role in this initiative, ensuring the program reaches students in 19 secondary schools across its catchment including:

• Hallam Senior Secondary College
• Noble Park Secondary College
• Narre Warren South P-12 College
• Rosebud Secondary College
• McClelland Secondary College
• Mornington Secondary College
• Patterson River Secondary College
• Hampton Park Secondary College
• Monterey Secondary College
• Carrum Downs Secondary College
• Pakenham Secondary College
• Cranbourne East Secondary College
• Keysborough Secondary College
• Cranbourne Secondary College
• Dandenong High School
• Fountain Gate Secondary College
• Gleneagles Secondary College (Endeavour Hills)
• Lyndale Secondary College (Dandenong North)
• Oakwood School

All schools in the region are currently matched with healthcare providers, ensuring that students have consistent access to medical support each week during school terms.

Local impact

Since the program’s inception, GPs in the SEMPHN region have conducted 19,228 consultations, including 2,932 in 2024 alone. Additionally, a total of 6,463 referrals have been made between 2017 and 2025, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in connecting students with further healthcare support when needed.

The Department of Education’s latest evaluation, published in February, concluded that DiSS, “is highly valued and continues to provide an effective avenue for reaching young people and providing preventative health interventions and primary care.”

The report highlighted that the program not only improves health literacy and health outcomes for students but also commended DiSS practitioners for prioritising comprehensive care over the volume of consultations.

SEMPHN’s Executive Director, Commissioning and Capacity Building, Caz Healy, welcomed the evaluation results, stating:

“The DiSS program provides young people with access to support and treatment for physical and mental health issues,” she said.

“This means they don’t have to navigate the challenge of visiting a GP clinic elsewhere, and they also have a safe space to talk about any health concerns they might not feel comfortable discussing at home.”

“This initiative is a strong example of collaboration between Victorian Primary Health Networks, individual schools, local general practitioners, and the Department of Education, all working together to improve the wellbeing of thousands of students.”

With its strong presence in south east Melbourne, DiSS continues to be a critical program providing accessible and preventative healthcare to secondary school students, reducing barriers to care, and supporting young people in prioritising their health and wellbeing.

Read the Doctors in Secondary Schools 2023 Evaluation Key Findings.