Aboriginal children across Western NSW are receiving earlier access to important ear, nose and throat treatment through a major regional health initiative.
The program has delivered specialist ENT care to 91 children, including 51 who underwent surgery during four days at Dudley Private Hospital after some had waited almost two years.
The children were drawn from public hospital waiting lists in Orange and Dubbo, with families travelling from communities including Bathurst, Parkes, Cowra and Lake Cargelligo to receive treatment.
The work was delivered through the Commonwealth-funded Healthy Ears Better Hearing Better Listening program, which aims to improve hearing and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service led the initiative in partnership with RDN Health, local ENT specialists, Dudley Private Hospital, Ramsay Health Orange and the Western NSW Local Health District.
Ear, nose and throat conditions can have a serious impact on a child's hearing, speech development, communication, learning and overall wellbeing when treatment is delayed.
Orange Health Service Head of ENT Dr Natalie Rainger told The Dubbo News the partnership had helped children receive care sooner.
"We have been very grateful for all the support from OAMS and RDN Health in being able to get these children done," she said.
"It was also wonderful to expand the program to include at-risk children from the Dubbo waitlist, including some who had been waiting for surgery for nearly two years."
During the four-day surgical program, medical teams completed 51 procedures for children from the Orange and Dubbo public waiting lists.
ENT surgeon Dr Sam Roberts said the concentrated effort had provided children with earlier access to treatment.
"Many had been waiting far too long, and it's incredibly rewarding to see them finally receive the care they need," he told The Dubbo News.
Families travelling long distances were also provided with practical assistance, including transport, accommodation and follow-up care.
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service supported children and families throughout the process, helping ensure they received culturally safe care.
OAMS chief executive Jamie Newman said the initiative showed what could be achieved when Aboriginal health services, hospitals and specialists worked together.
The initiative has highlighted the continued demand for specialist ENT services across regional and remote areas of Western NSW.
Organisers said the program demonstrated the importance of Aboriginal community-controlled leadership, targeted funding and coordinated healthcare in reducing barriers to treatment for First Nations children and their families.
