02 February 2006

New training to detect hearing problems in Aboriginal children

NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Milton Orkopoulos today launched a audiometry training package and DVD to increase the number of NSW health workers able to screen Aboriginal children for the hearing condition otitis media.

Mr Hatzistergos said this year five otitis media training courses will be delivered in regional centres across NSW with up to 75 places available.

"The new training package is part of the Statewide Otitis Media Screening Program launched in 2004 with funding of $2.49M over four years," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"In the first 15 months more than 12,500 Aboriginal children have been screened for otitis media," he said.

"There are currently 22,800 Aboriginal children in NSW and we aim to have screened 85 per cent of this population after the initial four-year term of the program."

"Increasing the capacity of the health system to screen for otitis media, by training additional health workers, will help us achieve this goal."

Otitis media, a middle ear infection, can have a direct impact on a child's educational outcomes as well as their health, causing hearing loss, delayed speech development, reduced learning ability and poor social skills.

Mr Orkopoulos said rates of otitis media were significantly higher among Aboriginal children aged up to six years than non-Aboriginal children.

"The program is targeted toward Aboriginal children aged 0-6 years in NSW as these are the most important years for early childhood development," Mr Orkopoulos said.

"NSW Health, working in partnership with TAFE OTEN, has developed the training package so more Aboriginal health workers will be qualified to screen children across NSW," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"This program demonstrates the collaborative approach taken, by both Health and Education, to address this compelling Aboriginal child health issue. This Government is committed, and will continue working together, to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in NSW."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au