New data released by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) show that while the number of child deaths in Queensland continues to fall, youth suicide, sudden unexpected deaths in infancy and transport-related deaths were areas where prevention efforts should be prioritised.
Principal Commissioner for the QFCC, Luke Twyford said its 2021-22 Child Death Annual Report gave an insight into the tragic deaths of 410 Queensland children and young people aged from birth to 17 years.
“Since the Child Death Register was launched in 2004, we have observed an overall decrease in child deaths, largely due to the decrease in deaths from natural causes,” Mr Twyford said.
“Although transport-related deaths have decreased on average since 2004, we have seen higher numbers of transport deaths in the last two years, including 33 deaths in 2021-22, the highest in the last decade.”
He said 20 young people died by suicide in 2021-22 “and although the trend indicates a slow increase in the rate of deaths in this category, it was significantly fewer than the worrying number of 37 reported in 2018-19”.
Mr Twyford’s comments came as Attorney-General, Shannon Fentiman tabled the 2021-22 Annual Report of the Child Death Review Board in Parliament.
She said the report made six recommendations, which the Government would now carefully consider.
“These recommendations focus on workforce, continuity of care, responding to domestic and family violence, promoting the safety of infants and unborn children, and promoting the safety of children with a disability,” Ms Fentiman said.
“We will always look to make any improvements we can make to strengthen this system and prevent future deaths.”
Minister for Children, Leanne Linard, said the Government was committed to systems reforms and keeping Queensland children safe.
“We continue to implement significant reforms across the whole of Government to strengthen the safety net for vulnerable children and families at risk of entering the justice system,” Ms Linard said.
“Queensland’s robust, two-tiered child protection death review process requires all Agencies involved with a child in the 12 months prior to their death to review their service delivery.”
The QFCC’s 68-page Annual Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
