The provincial government says they’re looking at ways to address a backlog of children waiting to see pediatricians for mental health problems in Central Newfoundland.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn raised the issue during Question Period yesterday.
He cites a letter, dated March 14, from a pediatrician addressed to principals and guidance counsellors.
In it, the doctor says there is a “heavy backlog” of children with mental health problems waiting for assessment at their clinic for things such as ADHD, learning disabilities, oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive disorder, anxiety, depression, and autism.
The doctor has requested that no new consultation requests be sent along as a result.
Jim Dinn
Dinn questioned both Health Minister Tom Osborne and Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell about how government plans to address the situation.
Howell says she became aware of the letter “a short time ago,” and they are working with the Department of Health to try to figure out what can be done.
