Wait-times for infants referred to see a paediatrician at Ipswich Hospital currently often exceed clinical recommendations.  As a public patient the average wait-time for a baby to see a paediatrician is longer than one year. 

A one year old was referred to see a paediatrician at Ipswich Hospital in April. It is unlikely that that the child will be seen before May 2022. Excessive delays in appropriate specialist medical attention are incompatible with health and well-being. 

There too many children in our community waiting to access essential health care. Many local families say that they are struggling every day. In one case a baby referred at four months old had to wait two years to be seen. Article 24 of the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child states ‘no child should be deprived of the right to access health care services and all children should enjoy the highest attainable standard of health.’  

Delays in healthcare for babies will have an impact well into the future lives of children and their families. Our children deserve better.