New evidence in a Senate Inquiry reveals 'critical under funding and insufficient resources' in the Hunter's health system to deal with children suffering with intellectual disabilities like FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder).
Members of Newcastle's Local Drug Action Team (LDAT), including a senior Pediatrician, and Magistrate in Broadmeadow's Children's Court, Nell Skinner, gave evidence in a Senate Inquiry about the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of FASD.
There is only one outpatient paediatric developmental clinic for children aged 2-12 years with multiple and complex developmental disorders in the Hunter at Wallsend.
This clinic receives around 350 referrals each year, and has the equivalent of 1.6 full time paediatricians and two paediatric trainees in addition to psychologists, a speech pathologist, occupational therapist and social workers.
There is a currently a wait of over 12 months for multidisciplinary assessment.
"What the evidence put before the Senate Inquiry has shown is in Newcastle we have a particular problem with a lack of sufficient resources to carry out diagnosis of children at risk in the juvenile system," says Tony Brown, LDAT member.
Mr Brown stressed it was not a lack of commitment or care, but a lack of funding causing the children to fall through the cracks.
"We have a great team of dedicated pediatricians and allied health workers in the Hunter New England area, and we cant commend their work enough, but the greatest area of need is an injection of significant resources."
"What the LDAT has advocated for is a greater funding boost into Newcastle and the Hunter to ensure our most vulnerable kids can receive quick diagnosis of FASD because this can mean the difference between being locked up or alternatively diverted to an area where they can receive the treatment they need."
Magistrate Nell Skinner says symptoms of FASD may lead to a young person being more likely to interact with the criminal justice system, as FASD sufferers often have impaired judgment and lack critical thinking skills.
"Young persons are not screened for FASD or other impairments during their interaction with the criminal justice system. Health resources are unable to meet the current demand for assessments," says Magistrate Skinner.
"Accordingly, there are no statistics about the prevalence of FASD or cognitive impairments and there is concern that FASD sufferers are not diagnosed."
 |
| Australian Government Department of Health |
