20 September 2024
Boosting paediatric care in Canberra
As part of our commitment to hire 800 more health workers, a re-elected Labor Government will hire more specialists and deliver more services for Canberra’s children and young people.
We know it can be stressful and overwhelming for families when their children are unwell.
That’s why we have made significant investments in new facilities and services for children through expanding the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and opening the Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital.
Over the next four years, we will expand the high care paediatric unit at Canberra Hospital with additional staff and dedicated specialists to provide a higher level of critical care for children and young people.
A re-elected Labor Government will also expand community paediatric services through the new hub at Canberra Health Services in Molonglo, as part of our network of health centres delivering care in the community.
This service will include specialist medical treatment for developmental delay and behavioural challenges, supported by allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychology.
More specialists will provide more paediatric procedures – especially ear, nose and throat – to reduce the risk of developmental delay and chronic recurring illness, with a focus on children at higher risk of poor outcomes.
These commitments build on significant investments in paediatric care made over recent Budgets and will help to reduce wait times for services and will mean fewer families will need to travel interstate to receive care.
For those children and families who do need to travel for care, we will review the Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme to reduce administrative burden and upfront costs.
In this campaign, ACT Labor has been outlining a comprehensive plan to ensure Canberrans can get the right healthcare, in the right time and at the right place.
We will hire more health workers, build more facilities, and deliver more health services throughout the community.
It is all part of our progressive, practical and proven plan for Canberra.
Statement ends
Media contact:
Kaarin Dynon 0422 772 215 [email protected]
