Page 679 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 1990
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MR BERRY: What about a raise of the eyebrows?
MR SPEAKER: Certainly not.
INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT MEDICAL PROCEDURES
Paper
Debate resumed from 15 February, on motion by Mr Collaery:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (4.54): Mr Speaker, I would like at the outset to welcome the production of this report on informed decisions about medical procedures. It is a joint report from the Law Reform Commission of Victoria, the Australian Law Reform Commission and the New South Wales Law Reform Commission. It is some time since it was tabled in the Assembly, but I would like an opportunity just to speak very briefly on it because it addresses some very important issues.
It is a fundamental tenet of the Australian Labor Party that individuals and the community have a right to know about decisions that affect them. So the report on informed decisions about medical procedures did not arise because everything in the medical world was all right and simply needed some fine tuning. The report was based on the experience of thousands of Australians who had had their right to know what doctors were doing to them ignored or abused. The report does indicate that things are changing in the field of information from doctor to patient. The Labor Party accepts that conclusion, but is firmly of the view that more needs to be done and needs to be done more quickly.
Part of that process is assisted by widely publicised and supported health complaints units with legislative power to take action to ensure that patients are accorded their legal rights. The report that I have been speaking about supports that approach. But it is also necessary for the medical training schools and medical associations to expand their programs of education of doctors on the question of patients' rights. On that score, I commend the Australian Consumers' Association for its education programs aimed at the elderly, in particular, about their medical rights and responsibilities.
It is important to note that many doctors are absolutely fantastic in informing their patients of their medical conditions and treatments. But just like the concept of corruption, the few bad apples theory is applicable to the medical profession on their attitude to the patient's right to know.
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