NOVICE LIBERAL MP CAUGHT OUT ON UROLOGY CLAIMS

Sunshine Coast Liberal MP Steve Dickson is misleading Queenslanders with his claim that Queensland Health only employs four urologists in the entire state, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

“The answer I gave the Member for Kawana in Question on Notice No.1343 clearly shows Queensland Health employs 52 urologists at public hospitals around the State.

“Urology is a specialised branch of medicine delivered primarily through the private sector.

“Queensland Health also employs private urologists as Visiting Medical Officers (VMO) to provide surgery and treatment services to patients in public hospitals.

“This is an example of the private and public health sectors working together.

“If Mr Dickson is saying the Liberal Party does not support VMOs and that public hospitals shouldn’t rely on their services then he should come out and say so.

“If Mr Dickson is saying a Liberal Party Government would remove VMOs from public hospitals then he should say so.

“The Beattie Government and Queensland Health value highly the work of VMOs and the quality of care they provide patients in our public hospitals,” Mr Robertson said.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH  3234 1190