Local Aboriginal kids needing life-changing ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery were among more than 90 who were part of a western NSW project designed to lower waiting times for Indigenous children.

The targeted outreach initiative brought together specialist clinicians, Aboriginal health services, hospital partners, and health system stakeholders, with the project driven by Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS).

The specialist ENT surgery helped address conditions that can significantly affect hearing, learning, speech development, communication and overall wellbeing with some of the children having been waiting up to two years for treatment, surgeon Dr Sam Roberts said.

“We managed to complete 51 cases from the public waitlists in Orange and Dubbo, giving early access to life-changing surgery for these children,” Dr Roberts said.

“Some of these patients had been booked for surgery up to two years ago and I am so glad we could get them access to the care they so desperately need,” he added.

Children and families from Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst, Parkes, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, and surrounding towns to see the ENT Orange Health Service and Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr Natalie Rainger said.

“We have been very grateful for all the support from OAMS and RDN Health in being able to get these children done,” Dr Rainger said.

The initiative was an important and highly-successful effort to improve access to care for Aboriginal children across the region, OAMS CEO, Jamie Newman, said.

“OAMS, our little people, and their families are forever grateful to everyone leading these life-changing operations,” he concluded.