Government slammed after data reveals children waiting years to see healthcare specialists

Territory children who need to see specialist health services are left waiting years in some cases. See the ‘damning’ figures.

The CLP has accused the government of failing vulnerable Territory children as damning figures reveal years-long wait times to see some healthcare specialists.

Average wait times for children older than five referred to occupational therapists was two years in Alice Springs and 18 months in Darwin, while wait times for speech pathologists were 20 months and 13 months respectively.

The wait times, provided in response to a question on notice, were based on estimates as the health department has “no system which allows data to report accurately on waiting times”.

Shadow Health Minister Bill Yan slammed the government for ‘policy failure’. Picture: Emma Murray

Shadow Health Minister Bill Yan said the “incompetence is clear” and could have a huge impact on children’s development.

“Labor’s failure in their policy framework and failure by their Health Minister is leaving Territory families and Territory kids out in the cold,” he said.

In Darwin, estimated wait times for children under five was six months to see a speech pathologist once referred, six months to see an occupational therapist, and two months to see a physio.

In Alice Springs those times blow out to nine months for speech pathologists, 14 months for occupational therapists and seven months for physios.

Across both locations the estimated time for a child to be seen at a developmental diagnostic clinic was six months.

Estimated wait times for school-age Central Australian children to see an occupational therapist was 24 months.

Data was also requested on the wait times for children to see specialists related to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and learning difficulties.

Estimates were not provided, however, with the explanation that children are usually referred to a pediatrician with broad concerns about their neurodevelopment rather than for a particular diagnosis.

The waitlist for children in the Top End referred to an outpatient service with concerns about neurodevelopment averaged a year.

In Central Australia, children referred to general pediatrics clinics waited up to nine months, while Central Australian Aboriginal Congress diagnosis services in conjunction with the Alice Springs Hospital had a wait time range from 12 to 18 months.

“These issues are not only due to a poorly managed system but the shortage of health professionals in these areas,” Mr Yan said.

“Labor’s failure to both keep and attract vital healthcare workers comes down to the decreasing liveability on their watch.

“What this means is that families who need that assistance for their kids are leaving the Territory, they’re packing up their families and moving interstate to access those critical services.”

Health Minister Selena Uibo said patients referred to clinics were triaged meaning high priority clients could access assessment and therapy services more quickly.

“The Territory Labor government cares about the healthcare needs of our children and our hard working health professionals,” she said.

“We are implementing a number of innovative projects to reduce wait times for children waiting to see a specialist part of the Children’s Development Team.

“This includes a change in services in Alice Springs – which doesn’t require a referral – for families to bring their children in for a consultation with a speech pathologist and occupational therapist.

“The CDT works closely with Aboriginal health organisations, the Education Department and community organisations to educate families and service providers about ways to support child development.

“Our Territory Labor Government continues to work on the ways to improve the health system in the NT and support Territorians unlike the CLP who are only ever talking down the Territory and have no solutions to support long-term generational change.”