ACT budget to invest almost $58 million in children's health services
On the eve of the ACT budget, the territory government has committed $58 million in additional funding towards paediatric services in the capital. While some families will still be forced to travel to Sydney for treatment for complex conditions, it's hoped it'll go some way towards easing the burden and improving health outcomes.
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00:00John is a clever, jolly four-year-old. Born with spinal muscular atrophy, he needs a range
00:12of treatments and that involves regular visits to Sydney to see specialists.
00:17We didn't realise how much we needed to be in Sydney and we had to have a conversation
00:22about do we move to Sydney or not. Ultimately we made the decision not to because all of
00:27our roots are here but being the capital city we expected that some of that kind of
00:33gold standard treatment would be available here.
00:36The ACT government has long argued Canberra's population is simply too small to sustain
00:42some of those specialised paediatric services, something Megan understands but finds hard
00:48to accept.
00:49We've met so many families and unfortunately when you go to Sydney there are Canberra families
00:55everywhere.
00:56Conceding improvements could be made. The government today announced funding for expanded
01:00paediatric services including eight additional children's beds at the Canberra Hospital and
01:06a new critical care team.
01:08We have also seen that need for the bridge to be built between the kinds of services
01:14that we've been able to provide for deteriorating children and children who need critical care
01:19here in the ACT and those specialist services in Sydney.
01:23The Bates will still need to travel to Sydney for John's treatment but they say any additional
01:29funding for paediatric care in Canberra is welcome.
01:33Even one trip not going to Sydney is a good thing for us.
01:37Even small supports can go a long way.