Surgery lets Cape kids hear

SIXTEEN Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients from Cape York have had lifechanging hearing health surgery, thanks to a new ear, nose and throat program.

The program is jointly funded by the Torres and Cape HHS, Clinical Excellence Division and CheckUP.

The day surgery procedures took place in Weipa and the patients are expected to experience almost immediate improvement with their hearing, speaking and learning.

The 16 were referred for surgery out of a cohort of 90 patients who underwent audiology assessments at specialist outpatient clinics in Cooktown, Weipa and Lockhart River in May and June.

Torres and Cape HHS senior health promotion officer Denise Newman said the surgery initiative was a significant collaboration benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately affected by hearing issues and that prevention and treatment really has the power to change lives,’’ Ms Newman said.

CheckUP CEO Ann Maree Liddy said the surgery would be a game changer for the young recipients.