A WEDDERBURN family has been left concerned and frustrated after being told their toddler faces a two-year wait for surgery to remove a cyst on his eyelid.
Buka Colbert, 2, was born with the cyst and has had referrals to specialists at Bendigo Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“The paediatrician told his mother and I that he needed surgery and that he would be listed as a category two patient due to the location of the cyst,” said grandfather Stephen.
“The paediatrician said we might need to wait a couple of months but Bendigo hospital was well equipped to do the surgery.
“Just wait a few weeks and you will be notified, they said. 
“We waited about four months and then recontacted the hospital only to be told that the paediatric surgeon had left their service and we should go back to the GP for a referral to the Royal Children’s Hospital, the one we donate too every Good Friday, which we diligently did and with assistance from our hard working GP  we were referred to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“After a couple of weeks the RCH contacted us to say we should go back to the GP and get a referral back to Bendigo hospital because they couldn’t find a spot to conduct his surgery for at least two years. So we find ourselves shuffling back and forth between Bendigo hospital and RCH with zero resolution to a child’s healthcare needs.”
Buka’s mother Ebony said GPs had been helpful and the November 2024 listing as a priority two patient had lifted hopes for surgery. Stephen said he was concerned for the development of Buka’s peripheral vision and Ebony still hopes the surgery can be done before her son starts kindergarten next year.
“I am raising our concerns about the wait time on behalf of all youngsters as they are our tomorrow,” Stephen said as Buka played with toys in the front yard of their Wedderburn home.
A Bendigo Health spokesman said the average wait time for category two paediatric patients at Bendigo Health is 238 days with 32 people currently on the list.
“In late 2024, Bendigo Health paused paediatric surgery due to unavailability of specialised staff. Prior to this, to ensure the needs of our community were met, all urgent paediatric surgical referrals were sent to Royal Children’s Hospital. Over the past 12 months, Bendigo Health has worked to create a sustainable solution for paediatric surgery. We recently signed a service level agreement with the RCH, for a visiting surgeon to run an operating list at Bendigo Health. The first list is scheduled for June 6.”