The Canberra Liberals are calling on the ACT Labor-Greens government to immediately ensure the paediatric emergency wing at The Canberra Hospital is operating at full capacity.

About one in four emergency presentations involve sick kids and in May 2016 the government opened a $5.8 million dedicated emergency service for children comprising six beds, two consultation rooms and private waiting area.

But, since April, this dedicated children’s triage and treatment space has not been operating at full capacity.

Between April and August, Canberra’s paediatric ED was only operating 50 per cent of the time with paediatric staff transferred to the adult ED.

Since August the paediatric ED has not been open and operating about 20 per cent of the time.

“The paediatric ED is an essential service for our sick kids and the government has to stop operating or not operating it on the whim of some hospital executive,” Shadow Health Minister Leanne Castley said.

“The unit is a much-needed safe haven for sick kids and their families to reduce their anxiety at what is often a dreadful time.

“It is unacceptable for the government to be mothballing the paediatric emergency wing and forcing children into the adult ED where they are exposed to adult patients who may have mental health challenges or be drug or alcohol affected.”

Ms Castley will introduce a Motion into the Legislative Assembly today condemning the government for mothballing the paediatric emergency wing and calling for its immediate and permanent reopening and staffing.

“I am also calling on the government to make a commitment to keep the paediatric emergency wing permanently open to provide the best health care to our kids,” Ms Castley said.

“The government must recognise paediatric ED as a vital part of children’s health care and not open and close it on a whim.”