Waiting lists for elective surgeries across Sydney’s children’s hospitals have blown out to record levels, with almost 4000 kids throughout the state currently awaiting operations.
Doctors say a severe staffing crisis is exacerbating the situation and putting children’s lives at risk, with many medics overworked and underpaid.
The latest Bureau of Health Information data showed that some 2500 children were on the elective surgery waiting list at the Children’s Hospital Westmead at the end of September along with another 1398 at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick.
The data also showed that roughly 1000 children had their surgeries delayed beyond clinically recommended time frames.
“These are very serious surgical requirement for these children – often needed to correct significant disability or pain that they might be experiencing,” AMA NSW President Dr Michael Bonning said.
“Lots of doctors and nurses aren’t looking to come to NSW,” Bonning said.
“They’re looking to go to other states where they can get better benefits packages.”
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A total of 50 senior doctors employed across the state’s children’s hospitals wrote to the health minister earlier this year, describing the spiralling situation and warning over troubles of hiring more staff.
NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the Perrottet government hasn’t “recognised the issue”.
“My real issue with the NSW government isn’t that they’re not performing miracles,” Minns said.
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“It’s that they’re not recognising an issue in the first place.”
