Students can access primary healthcare and wellbeing support at
Ripley Valley State Secondary College through the Queensland Government's
GPs in State Schools Program, delivered by
Shane Hourihan, Nurse Practitioner.
Shane Hourihan
Nurse Practitioner
Qualifications
Master of Nurse Practitioner
Flinders University
Master of Dentistry
Griffith University
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Meet Shane Hourihan
Shane has a broad professional background spanning emergency
and critical care, primary healthcare and dentistry.
He became a Nurse Practitioner in 2012 after completing
postgraduate study at Flinders University and has worked across
tertiary, rural and regional health settings.
Shane later completed a Master of Dentistry at Griffith University
in 2019, with experience across private practice, Indigenous health
and mobile dental services.
His professional interests include primary healthcare, oral and
dental health, chronic disease management and supporting people
with additional needs.
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Service information
Available
Every Tuesday during term time
Hours
8:30 am to 2:30 pm
For
Students enrolled at Ripley Valley State Secondary College
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Cost
All visits are provided at no cost to students.
Medicare
Students must be listed on a Medicare card or hold their
own Medicare card. Medicare details are required for
appointments.
Appointments
Available during class time or outside class time,
subject to availability.
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How we can help
Students can make an appointment with Shane for a wide range of health
and wellbeing concerns.
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Physical health
Health checks, illness, general health concerns, chronic health
conditions and medical advice.
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Mental health and wellbeing
Support for mental health and wellbeing concerns, with connection
to further support where appropriate.
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Sexual and reproductive health
Healthcare, information and support relating to sexual and
reproductive health.
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Prescriptions and referrals
Prescriptions where clinically appropriate and referrals to
specialists, allied health professionals and other health services.
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Booking an appointment
Students can request an appointment with
Shane Hourihan, Nurse Practitioner, by:
Clinic hours:
Tuesdays during term time, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Appointments are subject to availability.
Urgent medical care:
The School Based Nurse service is not an emergency service.
In a medical emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Information for parents and carers
Families may have questions about how healthcare delivered at school
works. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
How much does an appointment cost?
All visits are provided at
no cost to students.
Does my child need a Medicare card or number?
Students must be listed on a Medicare card or hold their own Medicare
card to access the service. Students will need their Medicare details
for their appointment.
Students do not need to hold an individual Medicare card if they are
already listed on a parent or carer's Medicare card.
Young people enrolled in Medicare can apply for their own Medicare card
and number from the age of 15.
HOW YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15 AND OVER CAN GET THEIR OWN MEDICARE CARD
Can my child consent to their own healthcare?
In Queensland, a young person under 18 may be able to consent to their
own healthcare where the treating health professional determines they
have sufficient maturity and capacity to understand the particular
healthcare decision.
This is assessed individually and may differ depending on the health
concern and treatment involved. Where a student is not able to provide
their own informed consent, consent will be sought from a parent or carer.
Can I attend my child's appointment?
Yes, where appropriate and where the student would like their parent
or carer to attend. Parent and carer involvement can be an important
part of supporting a young person's health and wellbeing.
Are appointments confidential?
Healthcare appointments are confidential and health information is managed
in accordance with normal healthcare privacy, confidentiality and legal
requirements.
Information may be shared where the student consents or where disclosure
is permitted or required by law.
What happens to my child's medical records?
Clinical information created through the service is managed as healthcare
information by the treating health service and is separate from ordinary
College records.
What if my child already has a regular GP?
Students can still access the School Based Nurse if they already have a
regular GP in the community. Where appropriate for continuity of care,
relevant health information can be shared between healthcare providers
through the usual consent processes.
Can Shane refer my child to another health service?
Yes. Where further assessment or treatment is required, Shane can provide
referrals to appropriate specialists, allied health professionals and
other health services.
What our students say
“It’s so much easier to see the doctor at school instead of booking
an appointment outside. I don’t have to miss extra classes or worry
about transport.”
“Having a GP here makes me feel supported. It’s good knowing I can
get help quickly if I need it.”
“It’s great that our school offers this. It really takes the stress
out of getting medical help when we need it.”
About the GPs in State Schools Program
The Queensland Government's GPs in State Schools Program
supports participating secondary schools to provide students with access
to primary healthcare during the school term.
At Ripley Valley State Secondary College, the service is delivered by
Nurse Practitioner Shane Hourihan each Tuesday.
More information for families
Parents and carers can find further information about school based
primary healthcare and the GPs in State Schools Program through the
Queensland Government.