Page 4468 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 30 October 2018

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MS LEE: Minister, what analysis has been done to assess the impact on quality of life for people undertaking joint replacement surgery, and will you table that analysis this week?

MS FITZHARRIS: As I indicated in my previous answer, these were potential measures in the very early stages. They were also based on clinical advice. I will continue to seek and take the guidance of the clinical advisers in Canberra Health Services and the advice of the CEO.

MRS DUNNE: What is the risk that some patients would not be able to get their surgery because the prosthetics would cost more than $9,500? And was ACT Health considering giving people sub-optimal joint replacements so as to keep costs down?

MS FITZHARRIS: To the second part of Mrs Dunne’s question, no. And, once again, I refer members to my previous answer and once again note the Canberra Liberals scaremongering consistently, never once having anything positive to say about ACT Health or its staff. Not once. Not once in this term have they had anything to say about ACT Health staff. They hear the Canberra Liberals, and they have heard their relentless negative campaign against ACT Health, against doctors and nurses in our community. They have done it in the past; they will do it in the future.

Opposition members interjecting

Ms Berry: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

MS FITZHARRIS: What are they hiding? What are they hiding about their plans for health in the ACT?

MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, please resume your seat. A point of order. Stop the clock.

Ms Berry: Madam Speaker, the opposition have made several comments that, in my view, are unparliamentary, making personal reflections on the minister’s work. They should withdraw.

MADAM SPEAKER: In the cut and thrust of the debate, I am not going to have anyone withdraw comments but I will say, again, members on my left: no interjections, and if you have a question for the minister, at least allow her to answer it.

Minister, do you have anything further to add?

Mrs Jones interjecting—

MADAM SPEAKER: Is that a comment across the floor from members on my left?

Mrs Jones: No. I believe it was a comment between members on the left.

Mr Barr interjecting—


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