Health system abandons 4yo

FOUR-YEAR-OLD Shanika Tabart, of Burnie, is always "happy and bubbly'' despite having to battle to do day-to-day things others take for granted.

Shanika has Cerebral Palsy.

Mother-of-two Jess Tabart said this week her oldest daughter and other Coastal children with disabilities should not have to battle against the health system on top of everything else they deal with.

But for almost nine months of Shanika's four years she has not been able to access the state's only paediatric rehabilitation specialist to get the Botox treatment he prescribed for her hip.

Mrs Tabart says without it, there is an increased risk of Shanika dislocating her hip.

"Shanika is increasingly having problems with her left leg turning in when she is walking, causing her to trip and fall frequently,'' Mrs Tabart said.

According to Mrs Tabart, Shanika's condition is most appropriately managed by the only paediatric rehabilitation specialist in Tasmania, Dr Peter Flett, who has had prolonged periods of leave because of illness and long service leave.

Mrs Tabart is upset the Department of Health and Human Services knew well in advance of Dr Flett's leave but did not try to back fill the position ahead of time.

Southern Tasmania Area Health Services (STAHS) chief executive Jane Holden said Dr Flett had major surgery recently and was on long service leave, scheduled to resume in the next two weeks.

"It is beyond everyone's control the service has temporarily reduced because of Dr Flett's health.

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Health system abandons 4yo