Petition for Emily falls on deaf ears
THE response to a parliamentary e-petition for a paediatric cardiologist to be based in Townsville full time has been labelled “an insult” to North Queensland.
Bluewater parents Amanda Stones and Stephen Fearns’ daughter Emily suffers a congenital heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, with her heart unable to pump blood around her body efficiently. Told they must move to Brisbane to access specialist care because there isn’t a full-time cardiologist in Townsville, they launched a petition to get one, gathering 2000 signatures.
KAP tabled the petition but Health Minister Steven Miles said a three-day outreach clinic provided in Townsville four times a year meant children requiring that care were seen within clinically recommended time frames.
Amanda said it the response e was disappointing.
“In the government’s response they said that the cardiac services provided in Townsville Hospital meet their set guidelines, and I’m happy that it does that,” she said.
“But I do ask the government, if they think Townsville University Hospital has a sufficient paediatric cardiologist resources based here, why did it take two months for my little girl to get a scan to get her heart condition diagnosed which very nearly cost her her life?”
The response to the petition acknowledged that while children with complex care requirements have the need to travel to Brisbane, a recent $8 million children’s ward upgrade has increased beds, floor space and improved the environment.
Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto said having someone over 1000km away to help was “not good enough”.
“It doesn’t matter what you’re talking about up here in North Queensland, we just don’t seem to have the numbers required for the south east corner and major parties to take notice of us,” he said.
“Quite simply (the response) is short, dismissive and condescending to North Queenslanders who read it.”