Page 4526 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 14 December 1993
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Podiatry Services
MS SZUTY: Madam Speaker, my question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Health, Mr Berry. I did give Mr Berry some notice that I would be asking this question today. I have recently made inquiries about the availability of podiatry services at the former Weston Creek community health centre, now predominantly occupied by the Independent Living Centre. I understand that there are staffing difficulties with regard to the provision of podiatry services and that waiting times at Weston Creek can be as long as 12 weeks. I have also had reports that podiatry staff at Weston Creek have been reluctant to make appointments for clients. My question of the Minister is: What steps is he taking to overcome present difficulties with the provision of podiatry services, especially at Weston Creek?
MR BERRY: I am sure that, if the Weston Creek health centre had not been closed by Mr Humphries when it was and Ms Szuty's Weston Creek community centre had not been dislocated, it would be an even better service. I thank Ms Szuty for the question. My staff have been able to get an answer together. Apparently, there has been an unforeseen - - -
Mr De Domenico: Just write a letter to her and tell her.
MR BERRY: You will have to wait and listen to all of this. See whether you can get seven out of 10 again. I do not know whether you will be able to repeat that.
Mr Kaine: You are getting only two out of 10 for answers.
MR BERRY: Your mark is dropping. It is under seven now. Due to the unforeseen illness of one of our podiatrists, it has been necessary to reschedule some of the clients and rebook clinic times. There is currently a national shortage of qualified podiatrists, according to my advice, and it has not been possible at short notice to recruit a locum to fill in for the podiatrist who is currently on leave. I am also advised that a number of podiatrists have made themselves available for individual sessions to cover the absence referred to, but this has not been sufficient to fully cover the extent of clinics required. We are currently attempting to utilise the limited number of sessions available to us in the most equitable way, but booking lists will be a problem until that staffing problem is resolved.
Mrs Carnell: They are always a problem.
MR BERRY: We cannot just wave a magic wand. We do not have a money tree at the bottom of the garden, Mrs Carnell, and little fairies dancing around it with their magic wands and little sparkles flying around. Is it the hills all around?
The most important feature of this is that urgent or emergency foot care and podiatry cases are usually assessed within one working day, and clinically indicated treatment is usually available that day or the next day. Emergency cases might also make use of accident and emergency - - -
Mr Connolly: Like urgent foot in mouth, Mrs Carnell.
MR BERRY: They would not be able to get that one out. They would not be able to extricate that one. That would be beyond the capabilities of our people, good and all as they are.
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