Thursday 1st of August, 2024
Victorian Legislative Council
RACHEL PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan): My constituency question is for the Minister for Health Minister Thomas. My constituent is a resident of Seaford, and he lives with a disability. Like many people who live with a disability, he requires access to specialist public health services that can accommodate his needs. This includes accessible dental care.
While there once existed a local dental service that could accommodate his disability, this has since closed. He is left with no choice but to travel to the Royal Dental Hospital in Carlton, which is almost an hour away. On his last visit he waited 3 hours, only to be put on a three-year waiting list and sent home to Seaford.
So my constituent asks: what is the government doing to ensure accessible dental services for all within Seaford, including those living with a disability?
Answer Provided, 25th of September 2024:
It is important to understand that waiting lists are used for patients who require routine dental care only. Patients assessed as needing emergency care or priority clients are not placed on a waitlist.
Your constituent is encouraged to raise any accessibility issues with the Royal Dental Hospital as they can either look for another public dental service provider closer to the individual’s home or look at options for a visiting service, which can be accessed on a case-by-case basis.
Your constituent is also encouraged to contact the Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne to be reassessed if they believe it would be appropriate.
The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP
Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services
