ACT Labor: Paediatric care

ACT Labor has promised to hire more specialists and deliver more services for Canberra’s children and young people.

Having already expanded the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and opened the Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital, Labor says that it would expand the high care paediatric unit at Canberra Hospital. Additional staff and dedicated specialists would provide a higher level of critical care for children and young people.

The hub at Canberra Health Services in Molonglo would deliver paediatric services in the community, including specialist medical treatment for developmental delay and behavioural challenges, supported by allied health services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychology).

More specialists would provide more paediatric procedures – especially ear, nose and throat – to reduce the risk of developmental delay and chronic recurring illness. They would focus on children at higher risk of poor outcomes.

“We know it can be stressful and overwhelming for families when their children are unwell,” a Labor spokesperson said. “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 who do, Labor would review the Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme to reduce administrative burdens and upfront costs.

ACT Greens MLA Laura Nuttall said paediatric care needs to be prioritised for neurodivergent children and young people.

“Currently, you need a diagnosis before you can access allied health support, and even then, it is a big cost for many families,” Ms Nuttall said.

The ACT Greens have promised to make allied health support free, even without a formal diagnosis, through a neurodivergence hub where parents, carers and teachers can get information and resources. The Greens have also promised to provide more than 160,000 free GP visits through bulk-billed clinics, so families can see the same doctor without out-of-pocket costs.

Independents for Canberra candidate Sneha KC said Labor’s plan to boost paediatric care, especially in addressing developmental delays and reducing the need for interstate travel for treatment, was “a positive step and long overdue”. However, she raised concerns about how Labour would they hire and retain specialists in an already overstretched healthcare system.

“Promises of more specialists are great, but without tackling burnout, competitive wages, and better working conditions, retention will remain a major issue.”

Other independent candidates were not impressed.

“Well, well, well, another lot of promises to do something that they have had 23 years to do,” Bill Stefaniak (Belco Party) said. “It’s ironic that due to their pandering to the Greens, $100 million per annum has been ripped out of our once fine health system (ex-Labor Chief Minister Jon Stanhope’s figures).

“This time around, unlike 2016 and 2020, many people are actually waking up to the fact that the ACT government promises the earth just before each election, and then, after they win, rarely deliver. Even rusted-on Labor voters would be doing their party a favour by benching Labor for four years so it can rejuvenate itself.”

Peter Strong (Strong Independents) said: “These constant, relentless announcements of policies from Labor are becoming an offensive joke. Labor is promising, time and time again, what they should have delivered already.

“These policies appear worthy on the face of it, yet none will come to fruition if they get back into office. Only a crossbench of independents will make an Assembly for the people, not for the three big parties.

“They are worn and tired – out of ideas, out of energy, and should be out of office.”

Strong Independents: Northside hydrotherapy pool

The Strong Independents have called for a hydrotherapy pool to be built on the northside, so people with arthritis or chronic fatigue can manage pain, and people preparing or recovering from surgery can strengthen their joints.

Currently, Peter Strong said, there is only one facility in the north: at the University of Canberra, which is over-subscribed and difficult to access.

“The ACT government needs to cater for all people including those with arthritis,” Mr Strong said. “One in six people suffer from what can be a debilitating condition; yet in the ACT, there is a dearth of hydrotherapy pools that are essential for many people to relieve these symptoms. The government likes big fancy projects, but ignores the other infrastructure that will benefit people who need support and treatment.”

The facility would cost $5 million – which Arthritis ACT considers “very reasonable for those in pain and suffering”, Mr Strong said.

“Arthritis ACT have done the hard yards and need to be listened to; this is for the benefit of those with arthritis and therefore their families and the whole community…

“But the government likes splashing around in a warm pool of self-admiration, while others have to do with what is less than needed and less than acceptable. Yet, I suppose, that’s what happens after 23 years of the same government and a decade of the same self-focused leadership.”

The Belco Party supports the Strong Independents’ calls for a northside hydrotherapy pool, and believes it should be built in Gungahlin or Belconnen.

“It would be a welcome addition to assist those in our community (and there are many, especially as we are an ageing community) suffering from arthritis and other illnesses and infirmities that would be greatly assisted by such a facility,” Mr Stefaniak said.

The ACT Government is building a southside hydrotherapy pool, in Greenway. A 2020 election commitment, it will be finished next year.