Victorian minister forced to apologise following comments to brain tumour patient
A Victorian Labor MP has been forced to apologise after she told a woman with a brain tumour to "roll with the punches".
Education Minister Natalie Hutchins made the comment at a press conference today, when asked about Kylie Hennessy, who travelled to South Australia for an urgent scan.
The mother of two was due to undergo life-saving surgery to remove a malignant tumour in her brain, but required a functional MRI (FMRI) scan first.
READ MORE: Explained: Pandemic leave disaster payment extended beyond September
Kylie Hennessy and her husband, Jason. Nine
However, there were no FMRI facilities available in Victoria, with only half of the state's machines running at full capacity.
Together with her husband Jason, the couple made a 1600km round trip to Adelaide to receive the scan.
"We were gutted," he said.
"You get this diagnosis for your wife and you want her to get the best care, the stress has put an enormous toll on us.
READ MORE: Three men arrested after ex-serviceman stabbed in road rage incident
Education Minister Natalie Hutchins told a woman with a brain tumour to "roll with the punches". Nine
"I think is disgusting that our health system has been run down to such a bad state, that we had to jump into the car and travel to another state.
"It's lifesaving surgery she needs, we couldn't wait. We are not in a third-world country and we should have a functioning health system."
The education minister has since issued an apology on Twitter.
"Having been through the pain and uncertainty of fighting cancer with my late husband Steve, I know how distressing and anxious this time is for the Hennessy family," Hutchins said.
"I understand this may have caused some distress and I am sorry that this has happened."
READ MORE: The Queen's final journey before funeral as coffin arrives at Westminster Hall
Jason and Kylie Hennessy, Nine
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has since said a hospital "miscommunication" caused the mother to travel to Adelaide for the scan.
Thomas said two of Victoria's four specialist FMRI machines were fully functional.
She arrangements were being made to provide her with access to another machine at the Florey Institute in Melbourne.
"Unfortunately due to miscommunication from the hospital to Hennessy, the work that was being done to ensure that Ms Hennessy could receive the FMRI at the Florey Institute was not communicated to her in a timely way," she said.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
