❓ Mr Brown raises concerns about Dr. Stampfer's treatment methods and their potential contribution to patient suicides, questioning the appropriateness of the doctor assessing compensable injuries. The Minister acknowledges awareness but defers to the Medical Board of Western Australia for investigation and action.
AnsweredQoN 848Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
848. Mr BROWN to the Minister for Health:
(1) Is the Minister aware of public criticism of the treatment methods used by Dr Stampfer?
(2) Is the Minister aware that a growing number of people in the community who have lost family members attribute that loss to Dr Stampfer?
(3) Is the Minister aware that I raised problems about the treatment practices of this doctor in Parliament in 1994?
(4) Will the Government act to protect the community by initiating a major inquiry into the treatment practices of this doctor with the view to determining the degree to which such practices contributed to those individuals taking their own lives?
(5) If not, why not?
(6) Is the Minister aware that this doctor is still able to assess/treat people with compensible injuries?
(7) Will the Minister initiate an investigation to determine if it is appropriate for this doctor to assess/treat such people?
(8) If not, why not?
(1) Is the Minister aware of public criticism of the treatment methods used by Dr Stampfer?
(2) Is the Minister aware that a growing number of people in the community who have lost family members attribute that loss to Dr Stampfer?
(3) Is the Minister aware that I raised problems about the treatment practices of this doctor in Parliament in 1994?
(4) Will the Government act to protect the community by initiating a major inquiry into the treatment practices of this doctor with the view to determining the degree to which such practices contributed to those individuals taking their own lives?
(5) If not, why not?
(6) Is the Minister aware that this doctor is still able to assess/treat people with compensible injuries?
(7) Will the Minister initiate an investigation to determine if it is appropriate for this doctor to assess/treat such people?
(8) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2000
Response time
27 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) & (2) I am aware that observations relating to Dr Stampfer's treatment of Gretel Eve Fell-Smith were made by the State Coroner in the Record of Investigation into Death of Gretel Eve Fell-Smith.
(3) Yes.
(4) & (5) As a medical practitioner Dr Stampfer is subject to the jurisdiction of the Medical Board of Western Australia. The Board has powers to look into questions of a medical practitioner's professional conduct and to take action as appropriate. If the Member has specific concerns he is aware of in relation to Dr Stampfer it is open to him, as it is open to any member of the public, to refer them to the Medical Board.
(6) Yes, but I understand that the Doctor has indicated publicly that he has stopped advising on compensation matters.
(7) & (8) Refer to answer to (4) and (5).
(1) & (2) I am aware that observations relating to Dr Stampfer's treatment of Gretel Eve Fell-Smith were made by the State Coroner in the Record of Investigation into Death of Gretel Eve Fell-Smith.
(3) Yes.
(4) & (5) As a medical practitioner Dr Stampfer is subject to the jurisdiction of the Medical Board of Western Australia. The Board has powers to look into questions of a medical practitioner's professional conduct and to take action as appropriate. If the Member has specific concerns he is aware of in relation to Dr Stampfer it is open to him, as it is open to any member of the public, to refer them to the Medical Board.
(6) Yes, but I understand that the Doctor has indicated publicly that he has stopped advising on compensation matters.
(7) & (8) Refer to answer to (4) and (5).
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