Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas must today explain her hypocritical and inappropriate handling of the case of a Victorian brain tumour patient.
Reports yesterday highlighted the case of Melbourne woman Kylie Hennessy, who was forced to travel interstate to receive vital scans on a brain tumour because no appropriate scanning equipment was available in Victoria.
Only two weeks ago, Mary-Anne Thomas stated in Parliament"I cannot just ring up a hospital and say 'Can you tell me about so and so?' because that would be entirely inappropriate. Patient confidentiality is vital, so we require their consent. I need to know that the patient consents to their information being shared."
Despite this statement, Mary-Anne Thomas yesterday admitted tomaking inquiries in relation to Kylie, stating"Ah I have ah provided you with information ah that I have ah read either in the newspaper or indeed that I have um received in relation to some inquiries that I have made."
Furthermore, Mary-Anne Thomas revealed additional details relating to Kylie's case beyond what was publicly reported, including information of a "miscommunication" between medical staff and Mrs Hennessy.
