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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-22 Daily Xml
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LYMPHOEDEMA ASSESSMENT CLINIC

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: My question is again for the Minister for Health. Where are the patients suffering from lymphoedema, who were due to have treatment but have had their appointments at the Flinders Medical Centre cancelled, supposed to go for treatment, given that there is no other specialised unit to provide treatment for people in the southern area?

The lymphoedema clinic offers statewide assessment services and treatment for the southern area. It is understood that the closure of the clinic at the Flinders Medical Centre from 1 July will leave people in the southern area without any accessible place for treatment.

The SPEAKER: I think the minister has already answered that, but he may wish to add something.

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:26): Essentially, what is the lymphoedema clinic? Essentially, there are physiotherapy services and there are physiotherapists available in all of our hospitals, and those services will continue to be provided. This was a private clinic which received—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: A private clinic dealing with private patients.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Morphett will stop displaying material in the chamber. Minister, have you finished your response?

The Hon. J.D. HILL: The interjection was, 'Why has it got a letterhead which has Flinders Medical Centre on it?' Because, as I said, it's a private clinic which is located by agreement between the—

Dr McFetridge interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Morphett!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: I look forward to the day when the member for Morphett actually gets a question on health in question time. The reality is that this is a private clinic and the reference that—

Mr Williams: You are getting rid of all private services, aren't you, John?

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Williams: You hate private services.

The SPEAKER: Order, member for MacKillop!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: The consistency on the other side is astonishing: the Leader of the Opposition is attacking me for allegedly getting rid of services for public patients and the deputy leader is attacking me for allegedly getting rid of services for private patients. They need to be clear about what it is they want.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: Well, I have a letter here which I will perhaps read to the house. It says, 'Date, Re: Temporary Closure of Lymphoedema Unit.' 'Temporary closure,' that's not something they pointed out in their question. 'Dear,' to the person, 'We have received a referral for your patient,' so this is a letter to GPs, primarily. It continues:

Please be informed that as of 1st July 2011 the Lymphoedema Assessment Clinic conducted by Professor Neil Piller will no longer be located in the Flinders Surgical Oncology Clinic, Flinders Medical Centre.

Lymphoedema assessments may recommence in the future once a suitable location can be secured. We recommend that in the meantime all lymphoedema patients are referred to an appropriately qualified therapist for assessment and treatment. Referrals received by the Flinders Surgical Oncology Clinic after July 1st 2011 will not be stored, kept or forwarded.

The following is a list of therapists who are appropriately trained in the recognition, assessment and treatment of lymphoedema and therefore able to offer advice and therapy for your patient. A list of websites is also provided however please be aware that only the—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: —National Lymphoedema Practitioner Register (NLPR) assesses the qualifications and continuing education of the therapists they list.

Then they list a range of therapists and their locations: Highgate, Eastwood, Murray Bridge and Pinnaroo, Brighton, Nairne and Glenside.

It gives a range of websites and states, 'If you require further information you may call or email Professor Neil Piller,' and then it gives his number and his email address. His email address is, of course, at Flinders University where he is a researcher. Then the clinic manager is provided, and then it has 'Flinders Medical Centre' and the 'Government of South Australia' because, as I say, it is based within our service.

It is not our service. We don't run this service and we don't control it. In fact, Professor Piller is overseas in Canada, and I understand that he will be back in a few months' time. That is his choice. It is his clinic: it is a private clinic. The government is not responsible for private clinics.

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