The ACT Government has released a roadmap for child and adolescent health services.
The Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Plan 2023-2030 builds on previous work to improve and strengthen services for children, adolescents, and their families. This includes strengthening the relationship between Canberra Health Services and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, ACT Minister for Health, said the Plan sets out the roadmap to better respond to the needs of children and their families across acute, outpatient, and community services.
The Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Expert Panel developed the Plan, which is a key deliverable of the ACT Health Services Plan 2022-2030 released in August 2022.
The Plan was developed through consultation with stakeholders and analysis of data.
“This planning brings the opportunity to build on the good things already happening in Canberra,” the Panel’s independent chair, Professor Michael Brydon OAM, said.
“A plan’s goal is to improve and strengthen things, particularly in the way that children move between Sydney and Canberra for some of the very complex chronic conditions. It also prioritised those children who need early intervention so they can return to good health more quickly and possibly reach their full potential.
“We’ve developed this plan to make sure health services can identify the children with the most needs, and also make sure those children get the best services possible. We’ve listened to the parents, the families, and, of course, the staff. We’ve looked at the local information and we have incorporated successful initiatives from experts elsewhere. We are confident this plan will be a very positive way forward.
“It has been a privilege to have worked with the other panel members. Their wealth of knowledge and expertise has been a great asset to draw upon and I would like to publicly thank them for their efforts. It has been wonderful to have their courage to make difficult decisions to set priorities that are based on children’s needs, children of today and for decades ahead.”
Dr Fiona Tito Wheatland, the Panel’s Health Care Consumers Association Representative, said: “Our health system is enmeshed in our geography and it’s a two-way street. We need expertise from Sydney for our kids who need specialised health care, and NSW needs us for those children in Southern NSW, where care can be provided safely. We have built on the previous work on Kids in Interstate Care, which has developed since HCCA’s research report in 2019. The aim is to streamline these processes, improve communication and make sure kids and families have clear paths and support when their children need care interstate.”
“Responding to initial advice of the Expert Panel, the 2023-24 ACT Budget invested an additional $15.8 million for new paediatric services, more paediatric health professionals, and training at the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department to start delivering on key areas of service improvement,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“While we have been boosting investment in child and youth services in recent years, the Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Plan will further guide the development of services for children, adolescents, and their families where and when they need them.
“The early years of life are vital, and we are committed to providing the best possible care for young Canberrans from early childhood through to their transition to adult services.
“The outcomes and priorities identified in this Plan complement other key pieces of work across maternity services, the first 1000 days of a child’s life, preventative health, and the ACT Health Services Plan, as well as recent reviews and ongoing initiatives in paediatric services.
“I would like to thank the Expert Panel members for their commitment and dedication in supporting the future health and wellbeing of Canberra’s children, adolescents, and their families. I also extend my gratitude to everyone who took time to contribute and provide feedback during the process.”
