The question concerns a child's access to a doctor of choice for chemotherapy treatment within the public health system. The answer clarifies the limitations of private outpatient services within public hospitals but assures access to a consultant of choice for inpatient therapy due to private health insurance.

AnsweredQoN 2860Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 June 2004
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(b) is it possible to enable this child and other children who require chemotherapy to have the doctor of their choice for this treatment?
(b) The child in question now attends outpatients on a monthly basis. For outpatient services, the patient attends the PMH public outpatient clinic. Admission to hospital for therapy is also planned every three months and this can be under the consultant of choice, as the child’s parents have private health insurance. The child’s mother has been assured that this option is available to her.
Admission to hospital for therapy is also planned every three months and this can be under the consultant of choice, as the child’s parents have private health insurance. The child’s mother has been assured that this option is available to her.

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
1 July 2004
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
30 days
(a) Full time Hospital Consultants are not permitted to operate a private outpatient service within the Public Hospital system. Due to the specialised nature of the service it is not possible for paediatric oncology to be provided away from the multidisciplinary unit at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
(b) The child in question now attends outpatients on a monthly basis. For outpatient services, the patient attends the PMH public outpatient clinic.
Admission to hospital for therapy is also planned every three months and this can be under the consultant of choice, as the child’s parents have private health insurance. The child’s mother has been assured that this option is available to her.

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