AMA (NSW) welcomes major party pledges for Central Coast
March 13, 2015Expansion of rural generalist training program good news for rural and regional communities
March 17, 2015AMA (NSW) joins FARE in welcoming the Coalition’s commitment to establishing a permanent Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) clinic.
“It is great news that Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, has pledged funding to make the current pilot FASD clinic at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead a permanent fixture,” Dr Saxon Smith said.
“Along with the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), AMA (NSW) is a member of the NSW / ACT Alcohol Policy Alliance (NAAPA) and funding for this clinic has been a NAAPA priority.
“I’m proud to be part of an organisation that has been lobbying for such a targeted approach to treating this type of alcohol harm.
“FASD is a lifelong condition that can result in a range of problems including brain damage, birth defects and developmental delay.
“It’s important for people affected by FASD to be able to access appropriate help, especially so when they’re children,” Dr Smith said.
“The clinic is currently being funded by FARE as part of a pilot program but that funding will run out in the middle of this year.
“I’m very glad the Coalition has stepped forward to continue the good work that FARE has started,” Dr Smith said.
Media contact: Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955