Health system
Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (14:16): I have a question for the Minister for Health. Simranjit, also a nurse, recently presented to an emergency department with severe pain and spent over a week in hospital waiting for an MRI to determine the cause. Why are patients spending a week in a hospital bed waiting for essential diagnostic investigations?
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:16): I thank the member for Eildon for her question. I did not catch the name of the patient that she referred to, nor did she refer to the health service. As is my practice in this place, if a person from any side of politics wants to raise a matter regarding an individual patient’s care, I am more than happy to follow that up and find out exactly what has happened.
Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, it was not about an individual’s care. It was about the diagnostic investigations generally in the health services that people are having to wait for.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The minister to come to the question.
Mary-Anne THOMAS: I have answered the question.
Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (14:17): Clearly I missed the answer. Minister, when will your government fix the health system so that Victorians get the timely diagnostic assessments they desperately need?
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:18): I am really proud of the investments that our government has made in our health service system, including $31 billion into our hospitals this year, and we have a pipeline of $15 billion of health infrastructure spending. With regard to diagnostic testing, there are a range of factors at play in any individual’s care, but we are proud here in this state that we are able to deliver timely care. We do have a plan. We have implemented a range of reforms already, with more to come. I again thank our hardworking healthcare workers for everything that they do every single day to ensure that Victorians, no matter where they live, get the care that they need. I re-extend my invitation to the member to share with me her individual constituent’s issue.