A Glencore grant is helping to improve hearing and vision screening services in the North West.
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With Glencore funding the North West Hospital and Health Service has recently purchased equipment to assist in identifying hearing and sight problems in newborns and young children.
The Maternal Youth Health department has purchased a Spot Vision Screener, which assists with vision screening in children as young as one year old.
The main benefit of this new equipment is that it requires children to look into the screen for only 30 seconds before it can identify whether the child's eyesight and vision require more definitive care.
Previously, children were required to read and verbally communicate letters and shapes they saw on the screen, which could be difficult for children who were shy or had development issues as a result of missed milestones or delays.
Queensland Metals General Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community Maryann Wipaki said having this technology in the North West was critical to increasing the liveability of Mount Isa and encouraging young families to make the move to the region.
With further Glencore funding, the NWHHS's Midwifery Group has purchased a Newborn Healthy Hearing Device, which will be used for mobile hearing screening at the clinic and in family homes of two-week-old newborns, rather than doing the screening at the hospital.
The NWHHS will now be able to immediately identify any hearing issues in newborn babies and if detected can refer the newborn to the Townsville University Hospital for further diagnosis to reduce the potential for long-term hearing loss.
NWHHS Acting Chief Executive Dr Karen Murphy says the equipment would significantly benefit the health service and the families in the local community.
"With this technology we are able to simplify the process for testing in our newborns and children in the region and ensure they receive the most appropriate care when it comes to their vision and hearing," Dr Murphy said.
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