A Victorian government minister has apologized after he was criticized for suggesting a cancer patient who felt he needed to travel across the state for timely care was “rolling with the punches”.
Key points:
- Kylie Hennessy traveled to Adelaide and back for a scan needed for brain surgery
- When asked about the issue, government minister Natalie Hutchins said “sometimes you just have to roll with the punches”.
- Ms Hennessy said she could not believe the minister’s response
Kylie Hennessy said she had to travel to Adelaide for a scan before brain tumor surgery because multiple functional MRI machines were out of action at major Victorian hospitals.
The 50-year-old mother of two teenagers was diagnosed with cancer in August and required an extensive scan, known as a functional MRI, to help guide her impending surgery.
After sharing her experience with the media, Education Minister Natalie Hutchins was asked about it this morning.
He said that occasionally, there was no equipment available.
“I know from my experience in the health care system that sometimes you just have to roll with the punches of what’s going on,” Ms Hutchins said.
Ms Hennessy said the comments were inexcusable.
“I can’t believe anyone would even think to say something like that,” he said.
Natalie Hutchins commented on Kylie Hennessy’s experience this morning. (Supplied: Facebook)
Mrs Hutchins later addressed the backlash on Twitter and explained her family’s experience with cancer, which led to her husband’s death.
“Having been through the pain and uncertainty of battling cancer with my late husband Steve, I know how distressing and anxious this time is for the Hennessy family,” she said.
“I understand that this may have caused some distress and I am sorry that this has happened.”
She said her earlier comment was “a reflection of my personal experience of nursing my late husband through cancer and treatment.”
The hospital’s general manager apologizes for the ordeal
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said a breakdown in communication meant Ms Hennessy was not told there were other machines available in the state, after machines at The Alfred and Royal Melbourne Hospital failed to would work
The State Government told the ABC that Alfred had offered to cover the costs of the couple’s trip to Adelaide.
Thomas said he wanted to acknowledge “the really stressful set of circumstances that Ms. Hennessy has found herself in.”
“I want to acknowledge what a difficult time it has been for her,” he said.
Victoria’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas acknowledged the stress felt by the cancer patient. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
He said there were four functional MRI machines in the state, with two operating at the moment.
The health minister said she had spoken to her fellow minister, Ms Hutchins, about his comments.
“I certainly didn’t mean to cause any offense,” he said
“Natalie was reflecting on her own experience and there was no intention to disparage Mrs Hennessy in any way, shape or form.”
Royal Melbourne Hospital CEO Christine Kirkpatrick told 3AW this morning that functional MRIs were “highly, highly specialized” procedures.
He offered his apologies to Mrs Hennessy and her family.
“Clearly, that’s been pretty significant, the inconvenience,” he said.
Professor Kirkpatrick said only about five of the procedures were done at the hospital each year.
The opposition calls the comments “disinterested and shocking”
Ms Hennessy’s husband Jason, who arranged to fly his wife to Adelaide and back after being told there would be a long wait for an fMRI in Melbourne, said the comments left him ” disgusted”.
“I am no longer surprised by anything about this government,” he said.
“His lack of empathy for the citizens of this state is mind-boggling.”
Hennessy said he was “gutted” when he realized the couple would have to travel interstate for treatment.
“I think it’s disgusting that our health care system has deteriorated to the point where we have to get in a car and make a 1,000-mile round trip,” he said.
“We’re not talking about a broken arm or anything like that, this is life-saving surgery that she requires.
“It’s 2022, we’re in Australia … we should have a properly functioning, funded health system.”
The Victorian opposition said it was insulting that Ms Hutchins would tell a cancer patient forced to travel across a state for brain scans to “roll with the punches”.
Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier described the comments as “disinterested and shocking”.
“These statements highlight this government’s contemptuous and insulting approach to Victorians who need life-saving health treatment,” he said.