GPs say they will be left to pick up the pieces after Canberra Health Services’ “unacceptable” decision to remove hundreds of patients from its public paediatric allergy clinic’s waitlist.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) recently sent 1000 letters to families notifying them that their child had been removed from the list because their referral no longer met revised criteria for a specialist appointment.

The letter — shared on social media by parent Dr Liz Allen (PhD), whose daughter has been on the clinic’s list for three years — said some patients are currently waiting more than six years to be seen.

“Our team has reviewed the information your doctor sent us against the criteria, and your referral no longer meets the criteria for specialist appointment with CHS, and your referral has been closed.”