Wait times stretching to years for some public specialists

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Some people are waiting more than six years to see specialists such as neurologists. Doctors claim people are suffering irreversible complications and even risk dying while they languish on public waiting lists.

Transcript

00:00Scaling obstacles is all too common for William Goldsborough, who was born premature, and

00:10faced a lengthy wait to see a public specialist for hearing loss.

00:15At least three years, but potentially longer.

00:17It was unacceptable for a child that had already been through so much.

00:23The ABC has analysed the available data to find out the longest waiting times for public

00:28specialists across the nation.

00:30In South Australia, some people are waiting more than six years to see neurologists.

00:35In Victoria, there are waits of more than three years to see ear, nose and throat doctors.

00:41While in Tasmania, some are waiting more than three years for urgent appointments with neurosurgeons.

00:47Each statistic is a person who's waiting for essential care way beyond the time that is

00:53clinically appropriate, and that carries with it the risk of preventable death.

00:58Unfortunately, Australia doesn't actually do that well in terms of equity.

01:03Everyone agrees these waiting times are unacceptable.

01:06Now it comes down to money.

01:09Governments are pointing to a range of measures to address the issue, like boosting the workforce.

01:14We've got more to do though.

01:15There are areas of specialty that are still short.

01:18That sounds like sun.

01:19William ultimately saw a private specialist who arranged crucial surgery.

01:24It was a life changing moment.

01:26We hopped in the car and it was raining and he's like, what's that noise?

01:30And it was the pitter patter of the rain on the car roof that he could hear for the first

01:35time.

01:36Priceless moments costing Australians dearly.

01:39Do you want some strawberries?

01:40Yeah.

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