Important childhood developmental checks are being missed with the Liberal Government failing to fill a number of Child Health and Parenting Service (CHAPS) vacancies.
It is estimated there are currently 10 CHAPS vacancies on the North-West Coast with the service reported to be operating in escalation mode for the past five years.
Instead, parents in rural and remote communities are being asked to use telehealth services with only those at risk given priority for appointments across the region.
It means children under five are not receiving timely important physical assessments for their developmental, vision and hearing checks and parents may be at risk of post-natal depression if they are unable to be provided with additional support.
The first five years of a child’s life are the most important in a child’s development and CHAPS is a critical service the people in Braddon are missing out on.
Premier and part-time Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff needs to outline how he will fill these vacancies, as well as ensure the service’s existing, dedicated staff are provided the resources they need to do their important work.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health
