Senate Inquiry Shows Hunter Health System Failing to Support Children With Intellectual Disabilities

BY ISABEL EVERETT

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

AMWU demanding action on Hunter rail manufacture

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Rail workers and unions gathered outside the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle this morning before a Senate Inquiry got underway into the manufacture of trains in Australia.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union is demanding the Federal Government bring train building contracts back to the Hunter.

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee inquiry into the state of Australia's rail industry in Newcastle this morning heard evidence from local firms, expert witnesses and workers.

Image AMWU Twitter

"We felt that we got a very good and robust engagement with the Senate inquiry and we'll be continuing to campaign and lobby for our position to make sure the government and Malcom Turnbull do the right thing," said AMWU Assistant National Secretary Glenn Thompson.

The AMWU says $4 billion worth of local train building contracts have gone offshore and it needs to stop.

"State wise this government has been absolutely appalling with the $2.3 billion contract for 65 trainsets going to South Korea. Now Minister Constance should be called the employment minister for South Korea because he's creating a lot of jobs and a lot of apprenticeships in South Korea but not here in Newcastle and the Hunter," said Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

Tim Crakanthorp believes if a full proof policy is put in place, the Hunter will benefit astronomically with more jobs and quality products being produced.  

The Newcastle MP says 1200 direct jobs and up to 2800 indirect jobs are going to be affected after the government awarded a $2.3 billion contract for a South Korean manufacturer.

Demand for new railcars is expected to grow by about 11,000 in the next 30 years.

"The key is for the government to get a policy in place with the state premiers to ensure that we have a policy that we build all trains in Australia and of course the Hunter - where there have been 100 years of building trains - we'd be in prime position to benefit from such a policy," said Glenn Thompson.

There are already manufacturers in the Hunter, all they need are contracts.

"We have UGL who still do produce diesel locomotives but they haven't had a proper train contract for manufacture for some time and unfortunately we've lost many many skilled workers who've left the area because there simply aren't the jobs," he said.

Image AMWU Twitter

Hunter Rail workers getting louder

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

With demand for new railcars expected to grow by about 11, 000 in the next 30 years, Hunter workers are calling for them to be built here in Australia, and not overseas.

Hunter train builders will hold a rally in Newcastle this morning calling for government intervention to ensure tax dollars are spent on trains being built here.

A Senate inquiry is being held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Newcastle looking into the issue.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) will hold a rally and press conference outside of the Crowne Plaza ahead of the Senate inquiry.

The AMWU says around $4 billion worth of local train building contracts have gone offshore, and they're calling on the Federal government to ensure an Australian train is never again built overseas.