For immediate release

14/09/2024

The Community Bank Homebush and the Mary Aikenhead Clinic at Australian Catholic University’s Strathfield campus, on August 8, welcomed Federal MP for Reid, Sally Sitou MP as guest of honour to celebrate the Clinics’ extended operating days, to five days a week, during university semesters.

In attendance were ACU Strathfield Campus Dean, Associate Professor Belinda von Mengersen, Psychology and Clinic staff, the Community Bank Homebush Branch Manager, Kavitha Sankaran, Non-Executive Directors and scholars.The Clinic provides affordable psychological assessment services for neurodiverse children and adolescents. They are only one of a few of metro-based NSW university clinics that offers diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The extended operating days will double the number of patients that can be seen in Semester 2, 2024 and help over 200 patients in 2025, minimising the current waiting times to help diagnose children and adolescents with developmental conditions, including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.Further, the extended operating days will facilitate the clinical placement of students completing the Masters of Psychology Clinical program, allowing them to graduate sooner for the benefit of the community.

Currently, 36% of patients are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and concurrently 30% are from lower social economic backgrounds.
The extended opening hours were made possible with the collaboration and support of Community Bank Homebush, a franchisee of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. Located on Rochester Street, Homebush, Community Bank Homebush is proud to be part of Australia’s better big bank and seeks to grow with their local community.

Quotes attributable to Michael Brewer, Chair of Community Bank Homebush

“The extended operating days now provide additional and more affordable psychological assessments and early intervention for children and adolescents. This is particularly important, given today’s cost of living challenges and current waitlist times will be dramatically reduced making a lasting and long-term difference for more than 200 families a year.
“We are proud to be able to support this important initiative and collaborate with ACU Psychology staff, students and the Mary Aikenhead Clinic as our Bank grows alongside our community.”

Image with three people: L-R: Sally Sitou MP, Michael Brewer and Belinda von Mengersen

Group photo: L-R: Sai Chen, Daniel Pascuzzo, Rachel Dryer, James Tran, Tim Robinson, Michael Brewer, Kavitha Sankaran and Belinda von Mengersen

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MEDIA CONTACT:

James Tran; Non-Executive Director at homebushcommunitybank@gmail.com