Question regarding the number of children on the waiting list to access a clinical psychologist via the metropolitan Child Development Service (MCDS) in Western Australia. The answer reveals 1,722 children are waiting.

AnsweredQoN 643Legislative Council
Asked
11 August 2022
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICE — CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
643. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I ask this question on behalf of Hon Donna Faragher , who has been taken from the chamber
on urgent parliamentary business.
I
refer to the response provided by the Department of Health as part of the 2022–23
budget estimates that references the median wait time of 12.8 months for
a child to access a clinical psychologist via the metropolitan Child Development
Service.
How many children are currently on
the waiting list to access a clinical psychologist via the MCDS?

AnswerView source ↗

On behalf of the Leader of the House,
I thank the member for some notice of the question. I provide the following answer
on behalf of the Minister for Health.
As at 10 August 2022, there were 1 722
children on a waiting list to see a clinical psychologist at the metropolitan
Child Development Service. Children referred to a clinical psychologist are
provided with a telephone service planning appointment with a nurse or allied
health professional within eight to 12 weeks of referral. At this appointment, parent concerns are discussed, the
referral is triaged and parents are provided with appropriate resources for managing their child's presenting issues. During 2021–22, a
total of 32 982 children received services from the Child Development Service.

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