NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs Mike Baird today welcomed news child deaths have fallen 38 per cent over ten years, however said urgent action is needed to address delays in coronial reports, increasing deaths from meningococcal disease in poorer families and continuing deaths in private swimming pools.
“I urge the Iemma Labor Government act on the Commissioner’s findings,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Delays in finalising coronial reports adds to the stress for families and also delays reports which may help prevent other deaths,” he said.
“Although fewer children are dying overall, it is of great concern that 55 per cent more children from lower socio-economic areas are now dying of meningococcal disease, some because of late diagnosis or inadequate hospital facilities.
“There have been high profile deaths from meningococcal and pledges from the Government to do better. They must stop dithering and start doing,” he said.
Mr Baird explained the Trends in Child Deaths in New South Wales 1996-2005 report released today by the NSW Child Death Review Team found Aboriginal children were 5.6 times more likely to die of meningococcal disease, and deaths had risen 47 per cent in regional areas.
“Tragically, several children lost their lives to meningococcal disease while they were being transferred between hospitals or waiting to be seen by doctors; in another case a child died because blood tests couldn’t be processed out of hours*,” he said.
“It is unacceptable that our most vulnerable children are losing their lives because the doctors and nurses don’t have the resources they need to provide the required care."
The report also revealed there is little active monitoring of pools to ensure they comply with safety regulations.
“It is very worrying how many toddlers are drowning in family swimming pools, with more than a third dying because the pool gate or latch wasn’t working.
“I fear cost shifting from the State Government to Local Government has prevented adequate policing of swimming pools,” Mr Baird said.
