BARNETT government plans to review an “ear bus” service could “deliver a fatal blow” to Aboriginal health in the southern suburbs says WA Labor health shadow Roger Cook.
The mobile children’s ear clinic visits schools and childcare centres in Fremantle, Hilton, Melville, Myaree, Willagee, Palmyra, Spearwood and Coolbellup, checking for glue ear in Aboriginal kids.
The WA health department is reviewing ear health services to “ensure high quality and evidence-based quality services are provided,” says WA health minister Kim Hames.
The bus will continue till at least June 30, “while this review is completed”.
“Cancelling the ear bus program will set back efforts to improve Aboriginal health and literacy,” Mr Cook says.
“If the service is cut, Aboriginal kids will no longer be tested and treated for glue ear and will continue to get sick and fall behind at school.
“The prevention of glue ear not only stops debilitating health problems, it helps them hear, pay attention in school and get an education.”
Mr Cook says the program should be extended, not cut.
“[This] must be one of the cruelest cuts yet from the Barnett government,” he says. “It belies belief that the Barnett government would not guarantee funding for the program.”
Dr Hames says the government remains “fully committed” to providing a full range of ear health services to Aboriginal children, “including the Armadale and Fremantle corridor”.
Coolbellup community school Aboriginal Islander Education officer Caroline Hyden says there are a lot of problems with kids’ ears at the school.
“They might be right in January time but when they came back in March their ears may be blocked up or have an infection,” she says. “And some parents can’t get their kids to doctors or appointments so they don’t there is a problem with their kids’ ears, so at least with the ear bus they can check it.”
School chaplain Jane Snare says good hearing is essential for learning: “If the children can’t hear correctly there are behaviour problems—if the kids don’t hear probably we have education problems.
“So it’s important getting them happy and hearing so their behaviour is on, so we can educate them.”
Willagee Labor MP Peter Tinley wants premier Colin Barnett to personally intervene.
“I’m calling on the premier to intervene and understand the most vulnerable in our community are the ones most suffering under the education cuts. This government has cut education funding at every opportunity: This is a very good example where the most vulnerable in our community are most affected.”
by BRENDAN FOSTER