Wednesday, 21 September 2022

 Mr GUY (Bulleen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): My question is to the Minister for Health. Gary of Glen Iris is 65 years old. He has rheumatoid arthritis and as a result of this has developed severe neuropathy in his right foot and severe deformity of his toes. He is in constant pain. He was first referred to have foot surgery to relieve the neuropathy and deformity of his toes six years ago. He is still waiting. Gary is in pain and virtually housebound. He cannot leave because he cannot walk properly. How is it acceptable that a Victorian like Gary is still waiting for vital surgery six years after his initial referral?

 Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:09): Obviously I understand this must be a very difficult time for Gary. I, as I always do, welcome the opportunity for the opposition to provide me—with Gary’s permission of course—his details so that I can inquire into why his wait has been so long. I certainly hope that Gary is accessing care through his general practitioner for both his pain and other consequences as a result of his rheumatoid arthritis.

Across our system we have seen during the last 2½ years unprecedented pressure on our healthcare system. The decision about when or where a person accesses surgery is a clinical decision. It is not a political decision. I am interested in working to support Victorian people. I have a genuine commitment, as does everyone on this side, to doing all that we can to ensure Victorians can access the health care that they need. That is why our government has invested year on year on year into our health services. It is why we have the $1.5 billion pandemic catch-up plan. It is why we have recruited an additional 22 000 healthcare workers. It is why we have plans in place to recruit and train a further 24 000 healthcare workers. The people of Victoria can be guaranteed that under a re-elected Andrews Labor government we will continue to invest in health care, we will implement our pandemic repair plan and we will deliver the health care that Victorians need.

 Mr GUY (Bulleen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): Walking and exercise help with both neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis, yet Gary has been let down by the health system due to years of mismanagement by the government. He is here in the Parliament today. What confidence can the minister give Gary so that he knows that after six years of waiting he will get the surgery he needs at a time he needs it—as he sits as one of the 87 000 Victorians now on the elective surgery waiting list—before his condition gets worse?

 Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:12): Once again I make the point—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask for the Minister for Health to be heard in silence.

Ms THOMAS: Thank you. I make the point that I am more than happy to follow up Gary’s case for him. But again, our government have recently purchased two private hospitals, which will enable us to deliver an additional 15 000 public surgeries every single year, an initiative that was opposed by those on the other side. One thing—

Mr Walsh: On a point of order, Speaker, on the issue of relevance the minister has confirmed that she is happy to follow this up. Gary is in the gallery. Will the minister actually meet with Gary after question time—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of The Nationals knows that is not a point of order.

Ms THOMAS: Once again, Gary can be assured that under an Andrews Labor government we will not be cutting and closing healthcare services. That is the record of those on the other side of the chamber. We have a pandemic repair plan in place—$12 billion—$1.5 billion to address the planned surgeries in our state, and we will deliver on that.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members, you are being very disrespectful in the chamber today.