A proposed new model for children’s health was the result of a recent symposium hosted by the Lishman Health Foundation in Bunbury.
The proposal includes a new approach to early healthcare intervention for young children, which could lead to much earlier assessment and care for children with learning difficulties in regional WA, according to the Rural Doctors Association of Western Australia.
The model would see a child health nurse and other allied health services like speech pathologists and autism therapists providing intervention services on school campuses.
The Child Symposium was held to discuss significant concerns about delays in diagnosis and therapy for children with learning difficulties and other health needs in regional WA.
Rural Doctors Association WA president and Bunbury GP Andrew Kirke, was one of the panel members at the symposium.
“The time has come for a proper solution to the referral pathway and therapy nightmare for childhood learning difficulties in regional areas,” he said.
“As an outcome of the seminar, a working party will be formed to raise the issues and ideas presented at the symposium to our politicians for action — not only in South West WA, but hopefully more widely across the rest of regional WA.
“Those attending the symposium heard a moving presentation by Liz Martin, the parent of two autistic boys, who told of her frustrations with delays in referral and access to appropriate care for her sons.”
Ms Martin explained to the audience how even with the best intentions in the world, her GP was unable to reduce the lengthy waiting times before her sons could be seen and assessed, despite them having clear behavioural and development problems.
Paediatrician Harvey Graham was also on the symposium panel and spoke of a desperate need for more public paediatrician time to address the need in South West WA.
“He said the region is funded for less than one-fifth of the equivalent time per capita compared to Perth, and the system is overloaded with families and children needing assistance,” Mr Kirke said.
“Early intervention is the key in reducing the burden of learning problems in the future.”
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