Ms Richelle Flanagan:

I merely want to thank the committee for inviting us in. In summary, in order to tackle this issue effectively, we need progressive policy and adequate legislation, as discussed here. From our point of view, we need access to appropriate clinical services at community and hospital level. I hope we have demonstrated that there are services worthy of support which are making a difference.

Children who are obese with co-morbidities have a right to timely treatment. As with any child with a life-threatening disease, children who are overweight and obese have the right to timely identification and treatment in the community to help prevent the development of adult diseases during childhood.