Children suffering because of repeated delays in heart operations

Reports that the number of children in Victoria on waiting lists for heart operations is increasing, is a cause for concern.

This month alone it has been reported that thirty operations have been cancelled at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne due to staff shortages.

It seems that though there are sufficient beds, a shortage of nursing staff is preventing them being utilised and this situation has prevailed despite the hiring of 14 extra nurses to resolve the dilemma.

While the situation is frustrating for the surgeons it is even more of a concern for the parents of children waiting for cardiac surgery.

Unless children undergoing cardiac surgery have intensive care the surgery cannot proceed and doctors say the delays are not because of lack of theatre times or a lack of surgeons, but because there are not the nursing staff to man such beds.

The problem they say has been exacerbated because of an increased demand for surgery and is causing distress both to the children and their families.

Some parents say they their children have been waiting months for surgery and operations have been cancelled a number of times.

Meanwhile their child's health has deteriorated even more.

The Royal Children's Hospital has a reputation for expertise in dealing with complex cardiac procedures and the delays have meant children from other states such as South Australia and NSW are also affected.

According to a State Government official the federal Government is working with the Commonwealth to tackle skills shortages in areas of need, including specialist nursing staff.

The Australian Medical Association says at every hospital there was a similar story and there are simply not enough beds to deal with Victoria's growing population.