Western Metropolitan Region
Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:23): (1788) My question is to the Minister for Health in the other place, and it is from Sean in Manor Lakes. Will the minister phone Sean and offer an apology and an explanation? Sean’s four-year-old son has respiratory issues, and on their doctor’s advice he went to Werribee Mercy Hospital around 6.00 pm. Around 8.00 pm a nurse confirmed that Sean’s son had a stridor, and they gave him Ventolin and steroid cream. At 12.30 am there had been no further checks and they still had not seen a paediatrician. Finally they saw a paediatrician, who gave more Ventolin and sent him home. At 5.00 am they had to take him to the Royal Children’s Hospital. This four-year-old boy had to sit in the emergency department for over 10 hours without a blanket. He was told that there were no blankets, that they had no blankets for him—no more care than the doctor provided before they arrived. Minister, could you please explain?