Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas slammed over response to grandmother’s death
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has come under fire over alleged insensitive comments about the unexpected death of a grandmother.
Victoria
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Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has come under fire over alleged insensitive comments about the unexpected death of a 74-year-old grandmother.
Bernice Snell, mother of Opals basketballer Belinda, died on Sunday after waiting more than six hours to see a doctor at the Latrobe Regional Hospital.
Following medical advice she had attended the emergency department after experiencing pain following a change in her usual medication.
Asked about the death in Question Time on Thursday, Ms Thomas said: “I need to make this point, people in our health system do not always have good outcomes”.
The comment sparked an outcry from the opposition benches, with shadow health Minister Georgie Crozier later demanding Ms Thomas apologise for the comment.
“Can I express my sadness and condolences to Bernice’s family at what must be a very, very difficult time,” Ms Thomas said when asked about the case.
“Our hospitals and our healthcare system are full of people who have made an exceptional effort over the last 2½ years to deliver the very best health care in the most difficult of circumstances.
“At every step of the way a person under the care of our health system is being assessed, at every point.
“So people are treated when they present to our healthcare services based on their urgency, their acuity and complexity.
“These are clinical decisions that are made in the health service in terms of the timeliness of care.
“Once again, if Bernice’s family want me to look into this further for them, I am very happy to do so.”
Pressed on when the government would move to fix the delays in the health system, Ms Thomas again extended her sympathy to Mrs Snell’s family.
“Of course any incident like this is a tragic one, and once again I extend my support to the member, and I am happy to look into this further and get more answers if indeed the family feel that that is what they would like to do.
“I will finally make the point that … people in our health system do not always have good outcomes,” she said.
Following Question Time Ms Thomas said: “Every life lost in our health system is a tragedy and my thoughts are with Bernice’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
“I have spoken with (Bernice’s) son today and assured him that my office will support his family to get the information they need to better understand what happened and why.
“Our incredible healthcare workers have done amazing work and are continuing to go above and beyond to treat Victorian patients every single day.
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien, who knew Mrs Snell, said he was appalled by the comment.
He said while he accepted not everyone in the health system had a good outcome, Mrs Snell’s death could have been avoided.
“I knew Bernice quite well. She was an absolute champion of the community,” he said.
“We have to stop these things happening. Yes, there’ll be bad outcomes in the health system, but not a 74-year-old woman waiting for six hours to see a doctor and then subsequently dying. Whatever the reasons, whatever the clinical outcomes, it’s just no good.”
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