Page 680 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 1990
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For too long a proportion of the medical profession has remained aloof, uncommunicative and condescending to people who seek medical advice. This attitude has been especially marked in relation to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, particularly the very old, women, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, and, of course, the very young.
Mr Speaker, the report represents an important step in breaking down the power relationship between doctors and patients. I congratulate all those doctors who have already accepted and supported the patient's right to know. I encourage the rest of the medical profession to join the twentieth century.
I will be watching with interest the steps which this Government takes, or does not take, which seems the more likely outcome, to implement the report's recommendations and its consultative process with the community on the recommendations of this report.
MR HUMPHRIES (Minister for Health, Education and the Arts) (4.58): Mr Speaker, I welcome also the opportunity to talk on this subject because I do believe that the report is significant and does need to be raised at this point. I think it is helpful that we have had that opportunity and the debate today will help to air some of the issues which emerged from that report.
I think that it is appropriate for the Government - and discussion will have to take place about this before a formal position is determined - to support the important principles on which the report is based, particularly the recognition of the right of clients, or patients, to make their own decisions about medical procedures. That does not mean that they have to accept necessarily what the doctor might advise them as to what they should do about their own health or condition, but it does mean that they have the right to exercise that decision, they have the right to proper full information about the way in which that decision will affect them and that that, in turn, will lead to an informed decision being made. It will also lead to a situation where standards and limitations are clear, so that professional compliance on the part of doctors is practicable and obtainable.
The extensive consultation and submission process that went into this report has ensured that the various views have been elicited. The report recognises that the matter of the legal principles which the interests of clients, doctors and the community raise may have very differing emphases. Of course, doctors will want a clear standard with which they are able to comply. Patients will want a form of redress most frequently where they do not get good advice or where they want information beyond what is available to them at that time. The community as a whole will want to ensure standards for discussion and decision-making which are readily understandable.
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