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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-21 Daily Xml
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HOSPITAL TREATMENT

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing a question about a constituent's health issue.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: My office has been contacted by a constituent, over a period of some months now, who claims a lack of treatment from certain hospitals in South Australia. In addition to the claims this constituent has made, she also alleges that no action has been taken in relation to criminal offences that were committed against her.

A member of my staff has been attempting to arrange a meeting with the minister for some three weeks now. Despite several phone calls and emails requesting a meeting and following up that request for a meeting, one has yet to be arranged. On two occasions my staff member was assured that they would receive a call back from the minister's office later that day. To date, no call has been received. Incidentally, it took just one phone call to make an appointment for a briefing on another matter. The constituent to whom I refer also spoke with the minister's office and has alleged that a member of staff said something to the effect of 'Ann Bressington can bugger off', and that I would not be allowed to meet with the minister.

The person I refer to is known to the minister. Her health problems have been endured since 1985 after botched sex reassignment surgery, and a later rape left her with ruptured breast implants, which have now led to her suffering from motor neurone disease. My questions are:

1. Why is it so difficult to get a meeting with the minister in relation to the health issues of this constituent?

2. How can a person who is a victim of the health system, through no fault of their own, be treated with such contempt?

3. What level of responsibility is the minister prepared to accept in the ongoing neglect of this particular constituent?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for her important questions regarding a constituent's health issues. Without accepting any of the opinion contained in the statement, I will undertake to take those questions to the Minister for Health and Ageing in another place and seek a response on her behalf.

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