Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Dental services

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:57): (1179) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health, and the action I seek is for the state government to provide and fully fund dental health services for people with special needs at the Frankston Hospital and comprehensively through community health networks. I asked a constituency question based on this issue on 1 August this year and received a thoroughly unsatisfactory so-called answer from the minister. In relation to the major development of Frankston Hospital I asked:

… why has there been no provision to provide dental services for people with special needs in this development?

I asked this because I have a constituent whose son has serious dental needs and who, upon contacting Frankston Hospital, was referred to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, and he waited two years for a response. After his son was eventually examined, he was told he had to wait for treatment through the special needs department, a staggering three-year wait. Despite further inquiries, nearly five years later the dental work has still not been completed. This is an absolutely appalling situation for any person to endure.

The fact that despite state government spending of more than $1.1 billion on this redevelopment there is no provision for specialist dental services included in this project is a completely dreadful outcome for the residents of the south-east. I note as an aside that the original budget for the redevelopment was $562 million and that the ultimate spend was an extraordinary 97 per cent over budget. This is yet another example of Labor’s complete inability to manage finances and major projects. With financial mismanagement on this scale, it is no wonder that this government cannot properly fund important public health services, including vital dental services. Today I spoke with some exhibitors here at Parliament House from community health, and what I discovered was that this government is basically only supporting hospitals; it is barely supporting the rest of the networks, and there are many people who require specialist care.

All Victorians know that Labor cannot manage money. Despite there being over 55 new and increased taxes since Labor came to office more than 10 years ago and state taxation revenue being at record levels, Victorians can now clearly see the fruit of a government that just does not know how to manage money. With more than tens of billions of dollars blown on major project budget blowouts, it is heartbreaking to think how this money could have been spent on Victorians requiring public dental health who are languishing on waiting lists.

Given the Frankston Hospital is growing, we need to see the government actually cough up some money for these people, and I look forward to receiving a sensible and comprehensive answer with a realistic solution from the minister and not more blame-shifting and absolute waffle.