14 July 2025

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is calling on the incoming state government to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our youngest Tasmanians.

“Tasmania has the opportunity to address chronic underinvestment in neurodevelopmental paediatrics and health inequity across the state”, said RACP Tasmanian Committee Chair, Dr Theresa Naidoo.

“Our current health system is not meeting the needs of our children and young people."

The RACP is concerned that children and their parents are waiting far too long for paediatric care, sometimes up to 24 months.

"This has potentially long-term effects on children's health and development. We need to ensure children can access healthcare when they need it,” Dr Naidoo said.

"Demand is growing for paediatric services, particularly for conditions like ADHD and autism.

“Families are increasingly needing to turn to private interstate services at significant cost, which often provide diagnoses but little ongoing support.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, those in rural and remote areas, and children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families are disproportionately impacted by limited access to public services.

“We need urgent specialist workforce investment to address critical shortages in paediatric care, particularly in regional areas such as the Northwest.

“Without urgent investment in training, recruitment and retention, these shortages will only worsen,” Dr Naidoo said.

The RACP is calling on the incoming government to commit to:

• A statewide paediatric care strategy that addresses urgent waitlist backlogs, workforce shortages, and service distribution.
• Dedicated investment in neurodevelopmental services, including multidisciplinary clinics and specialist training pathways.
• Expanded regional paediatric services, delivered through outreach and locally based teams.
• Support for integrated care between GPs, schools, community services and paediatricians.
•  Ensuring physicians and physician trainees have protected time for training, research and professional development.
• Implementing effective attraction and retention strategies for specialists, including better working conditions, addressing burnout and providing workplace support for physicians and trainee physicians.

This election is an opportunity to make children’s health a priority,” Dr Naidoo said.

“Investment in paediatric care is not only compassionate, but also economically responsible.

“Delayed care in childhood leads to poorer long-term health, educational and social outcomes, and places greater strain on the health system in the future," Dr Naidoo said.

"We also need government commitment to training more specialists, improving working conditions, and ensuring our paediatricians have the support they need to provide quality care.

"The incoming government has an opportunity to address these critical workforce shortages and ensure all Tasmanian children have access to the specialist care they deserve.

“The RACP and its Tasmanian Committee are committed to collaborating with the incoming government to ensure every child in Tasmania can access timely, high-quality care, no matter where they live or what challenges they face.”