❓ Ms. Mettam asks about the delayed brain surgery for Katalina Kovacevic, citing a missing cable and unavailable surgeon. The Minister acknowledges the delays and commits to reviewing interstate travel support for the family.
AnsweredQoN 192Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KATALINA KOVACEVIC —
SURGERY
192. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I ask this question—some
notice has been given—on behalf of the Kovacevic family. I refer to the
brain surgery scheduled for four-year-old Katalina Kovacevic in January to
remove lesions that are causing seizures, and its subsequent cancellation due
to a missing cable and a surgeon being unavailable.
(1) Has this surgery been
rescheduled?
(2) If so, when will it take place;
and, if not, why not?
(3) If it cannot
be performed here, will the Department of Health assist and facilitate this
surgery in another state?
The SPEAKER : I note that that
is a very lengthy question that is asking for specific information. Was there
some notice given?
Ms L. METTAM : Yes; the
minister got the question at 11.30 am.
SURGERY
192. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I ask this question—some
notice has been given—on behalf of the Kovacevic family. I refer to the
brain surgery scheduled for four-year-old Katalina Kovacevic in January to
remove lesions that are causing seizures, and its subsequent cancellation due
to a missing cable and a surgeon being unavailable.
(1) Has this surgery been
rescheduled?
(2) If so, when will it take place;
and, if not, why not?
(3) If it cannot
be performed here, will the Department of Health assist and facilitate this
surgery in another state?
The SPEAKER : I note that that
is a very lengthy question that is asking for specific information. Was there
some notice given?
Ms L. METTAM : Yes; the
minister got the question at 11.30 am.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1)–(3) I want to assure the chamber that my office has
been working very closely with Katalina's family over the last
few months. These are very challenging and difficult circumstances that the
family finds themselves in, with their
daughter's condition and the delay in the surgery. There have been a couple
of reasons for that delay. One is that this is very technical and
delicate neurological surgery that is required to be performed by a very
specific specialist. �It also requires some very specific neuro-monitoring
leads to ensure that the surgery can be as
safe as possible. They have been ordered from the United States. They have been
delayed in transit and they have not arrived due to, I assume, the
worldwide logistics and freight challenges that everyone is experiencing. That
is one of the reasons. The other reason is that the specific neurosurgeon has
been on unexpected leave. That has not been resolved, to my knowledge, so they
are the reasons for the delay. Because the surgery could be undertaken in Western
Australia, they were initially told that they were not eligible for interstate
travel support. I will ask the department to review that decision, given the
issues with the surgeon and the leads. In my view, it is appropriate that they
are given every opportunity and support from the Department of Health to go
interstate for that surgery whilst we resolve the issue with the surgeon.
of the question.
(1)–(3) I want to assure the chamber that my office has
been working very closely with Katalina's family over the last
few months. These are very challenging and difficult circumstances that the
family finds themselves in, with their
daughter's condition and the delay in the surgery. There have been a couple
of reasons for that delay. One is that this is very technical and
delicate neurological surgery that is required to be performed by a very
specific specialist. �It also requires some very specific neuro-monitoring
leads to ensure that the surgery can be as
safe as possible. They have been ordered from the United States. They have been
delayed in transit and they have not arrived due to, I assume, the
worldwide logistics and freight challenges that everyone is experiencing. That
is one of the reasons. The other reason is that the specific neurosurgeon has
been on unexpected leave. That has not been resolved, to my knowledge, so they
are the reasons for the delay. Because the surgery could be undertaken in Western
Australia, they were initially told that they were not eligible for interstate
travel support. I will ask the department to review that decision, given the
issues with the surgeon and the leads. In my view, it is appropriate that they
are given every opportunity and support from the Department of Health to go
interstate for that surgery whilst we resolve the issue with the surgeon.
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