❓ Mr. Staltari's question reveals significant waitlists for various child development services in WA, particularly for paediatricians. The response highlights data limitations and the exclusion of child health nursing from CDS.
AnsweredQoN 1391Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Department of Health’s Child Development Service, and I ask: (a) As of 1 January 2024, how many children were on the waitlist for the following services via the Child Development Service in WA: (i) A paediatrician; (ii) A speech pathologist; (iii) An occupational therapist; (iv) A physiotherapist; (v) A social worker; (vi) A psychologist; (vii) An audiologist; and (viii) A child health nurse; and (b) Please provide a breakdown of (a) (i-viii), by services provided by the: (i) WA Country Health Service; and (ii) Metropolitan Child Development Service?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
4 days
(a) As of 5 January 2024, the number of children on the waitlist for the following services via the Child Development Service (CDS) in WA:
(i) 9,984.
(ii) 2,488.
(iii) 2,782.
(iv) 1,038.
(v) 1,231.
(vi) 1,403.
(vii) 1,653.
(viii) Child health nursing is not a CDS service.
(b)
(i) WA Country Health Service:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
*
903
1058
418
284
195
810
**
*The figures for Paediatric discipline are not currently available as wait time data includes Developmental Paediatric and Medical / General Paediatrics. Work is under way to provide accurate representation of Developmental Paeds Wait time separately.
**Child health nursing is not a Child Development Services (CDS) service and thus there is no waitlist component to report.
(i) 9,984.
(ii) 2,488.
(iii) 2,782.
(iv) 1,038.
(v) 1,231.
(vi) 1,403.
(vii) 1,653.
(viii) Child health nursing is not a CDS service.
(b)
(i) WA Country Health Service:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
*
903
1058
418
284
195
810
**
*The figures for Paediatric discipline are not currently available as wait time data includes Developmental Paediatric and Medical / General Paediatrics. Work is under way to provide accurate representation of Developmental Paeds Wait time separately.
**Child health nursing is not a Child Development Services (CDS) service and thus there is no waitlist component to report.
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