A New South Wales North Coast mother has made a heartfelt plea to the Queensland government to allow her son to travel across the border to undergo specialist testing.
Eighteen-month-old Roman, who is suffering from a debilitating stomach condition, was referred to Queensland Children's Hospital for a paediatric endoscopy, but found out on Monday that the application had been rejected.
Tina Paratore, from Lismore, said it was a stressful time for her young family.
"We just need the Queensland border to open or get an exemption and get across, so my little boy can get better," she said.
Roman's paediatrician, Chris Ingall, says Roman needs the endoscopy to find out whether he has an internal bleed on his stomach.
Dr Ingall said Roman's case was not isolated and that several of his patients had been accepted by Queensland medical specialists only to be rejected by the state's health department.
"All the doctors want to care for these children," he said.
"It is the hospital hierarchy, which is listening to the Queensland Department of Health – as they have to, as it's their line of command – who are saying these children can't come from across the border and be cared for in Queensland."
But Ms Paratore, who is fully vaccinated, says she cannot make sense of it.
"I've done the right thing by having my two COVID jabs and we still can't get across," she said.
Ms Paratore said the next option was for her to drive to Newcastle to get the testing there.
"It's an eight hour drive to Newcastle, while Brisbane is only two hours away, it just makes sense to go to Brisbane," she said.
"Being a mum it's hard to see your kids in pain.
Queensland Health has been contacted for a response.
