No Waiting, Apparently, At Some Public Hospitals
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday August 20, 2004
Do you honestly expect we ordinary folk to believe that, at Mark Latham's request to be admitted as a public patient, he would be treated in the same way as any public patient ("Inflamed pancreas lays Latham low", Herald, August 19)? What a joke. We all know he'll be getting the same treatment that a private patient would, just on the basis of being Mark Latham, public figure.
Angela Brooks,Marrickville, August 19. I am a sufferer of pancreatitis. In 1997, after an eight-hour wait in casualty at Prince of Wales Hospital and in severe pain, I was referred away to my GP. Within 48 hours my specialist told me he would have great difficulty finding me a bed in a public hospital because it was winter. I spent five weeks in a private hospital, with three weeks in intensive care, and paid $15,000 - the shortfall on my medical insurance. I thank my specialist, who charged me only Medicare rates. Luckily for Mr Latham, he was given a bed and is having tests. This is preferential treatment.I wish Mr Latham all the best for his recovery because it can be a terrible disease.Anne Day,Peakhurst, August 19.I assume pancreatitis is the Latin term for "a gutful of politics".Bill Carpenter.Bowral, August 19.Decisions, decisions. Call an election now while Mark Latham's out of the way? Or wait till he's better to avoid the sympathy vote?Margaret Grove,Abbotsford, August19.Quick, call the election now, before he recovers.Lars Johansson,Hurlstone Park, August 19.I'll bet John Howard would like to get pancreatitis and not have to face any questions for a few weeks.Kim Sanders,Dulwich Hill, August 19.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald