Page 966 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 26 July 1989
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MR BERRY: Well, it is a very good reason to raise the issue, but I think members ought to keep in mind when they are raising these sorts of questions that it is a sensitive area and it can upset family and friends of relatives who might be seriously ill. I think these issues ought to be treated sensitively, and perhaps the blunt political approach might be better put aside at times. However, the waiting time for treatment in the ACT for radiotherapy is less than in most other States. I think that is a credit to our health system. It is about one to two weeks.
I am aware that there could be a 44 per cent increase in cancer patients by 1991, and that has been raised in another question raised by Mr Moore in another context. This could generate additional demands on our services and in particular the need for a $2m high-energy linear accelerator, which of course is associated with radiotherapy. I can assure the Assembly that I will be pressing my colleague in the Commonwealth Government to make additional funding available to replace and expand our treatment capacity.
Last year the department was able to improve patient treatment planning through the purchase of a sophisticated computerised system for patient services. In addition, my department will be undertaking a formal review of oncology services before the end of the year to ensure that services appropriate to the needs of the ACT are properly planned for.
MR HUMPHRIES: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I am close to taking offence at the Minister's reference to a blunt political approach on this question. This issue was raised with me by a constituent who was concerned because a member of her family was not able to use the machine - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Humphries, what is the question?
MR HUMPHRIES: I will proceed to my supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I am not asking about treatment of cancer patients generally. I am asking about the radiotherapy machine at the Woden Valley Hospital. Does the Government intend to do anything about the frequent breakdown of that machine?
MR BERRY: I am not fully aware of the frequency which you describe and the detail of it, but I will certainly look into it. If there are, as you have said, frequent breakdowns and they are breakdowns which should not occur, I will make sure that action is taken to ensure that they do not occur again and that your constituents are able to get the best possible treatment, as I am sure they have done in any event.
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